Intended Audience
The content of this course is tailored to the needs diversified vegetable and berry farmers of small to medium scale, NRCS, SWCD, Cooperative Extension, and state department of agriculture employees, as well as crop consultants, natural resource specialists, non-governmental conservation organization staff, and producers of bee-pollinated crops.
Cost
This is a free webinar
Registration Contact
Liz Robertson, The Xerces Society
(503) 232-6639, Ext. 120
liz.robertson@xerces.org
Reasonable Accomodations
This webinar will utilize closed captioning during the live stream and the subsequent recording. To request additional accommodation for this webinar, please contact liz.robertson@xerces.org.
The Xerces Society is an equal-opportunity provider and employer.
The Xerces Society embraces diversity in our program services. At the Xerces Society, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment is one where all participants feel valued and are treated with respect regardless of their gender identity, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, education and/or disability.
About the Xerces Society
The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Established in 1971, the Society is a trusted source for science-based information and advice. We collaborate with people and institutions at all levels and our work to protect pollinators encompasses all landscapes. Our team draws together experts from the fields of habitat restoration, entomology, botany, and conservation biology with a single focus—protecting the life that sustains us. To learn more about our work, visit www.xerces.org.
Partners and/or Acknowledgements
This short course is made possible thanks to the support of the Kitsap County Conservation District and the Jefferson County Conservation District.
Photo Credits
Alkali bee on alphalpha bloom, by Amber Vinchesi / Douglas Walsh, OSU (banner)
Blanket flower blooming next to a Washington orchard, by The Xerces Society / Kitty Bolte (side panel)
Webinar: Pollinator Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes
Presented in Partnership with Kitsap & Jefferson County Conservation Districts
Friday, November 13th, 2020
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PST
This 90 minute webinar will focus on concepts around protecting and enhancing populations of pollinators, especially bees, in agricultural landscapes. The course will provide an overview of bee natural history and farm practices that support pollinators, such as protecting and creating habitat.
Introductory topics include the principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, basic bee field identification, and evaluating pollinator habitat. Advanced modules will cover land management practices for pollinator protection, pollinator habitat restoration, incorporating pollinator conservation into federal conservation programs, and financial and technical resources to support these efforts.
Registrants will have access to a digital version of the Xerces Society's Pollinator Conservation Toolkit, with direct links to PDFs and online resourcs.
The Xerces Society's book, Attracting Native Pollinators, will be available upon request to participants after the course on a first come, first serve basis. Details will be provided during the session on how to request a copy of the book. Please note that due to funding restrictions we can only provide free copies to participants in Washington State.
The Xerces Society offers weekly webinars and virtual presentation applicable to regions across the country. Visit our online events page to view up-to-date wbinar and event information.
Training Skills and Objectives
- Ability to identify ways of increasing and enhancing pollinator diversity on the land
- Knowledge of the current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on pollinators
- Ability to identify bees and distinguish them from other insects
- Knowledge of the economics of insect-pollinated crops, and the effects of pollinator decline
- Knowledge of the current Farm Bill pollinator conservation provisions and how to implement those provisions through USDA programs such as WHIP, EQIP, CSP, and CRP
- Ability to assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies
- Ability to make recommendations to farmers and land managers that conserve pollinators (including subjects such as roadside management, tillage, pesticide use, burning, grazing, and cover cropping)
- Ability to design and implement habitat improvements, such as native plant restoration and nest site enhancements
- Ability to incorporate pollinators into land-management or policy decisions
Continuing Education Credits offered:
- Certified Crop Advisor Credits (Pending approval)
- Society of American Foresters Credits
- The Wildlife Society Credits
Course Agenda
Module 1: Importance of pollinators
- Value of pollinators to agriculture and natural ecosystems
- Native bees and crop pollination
- Status of pollinator populations and at-risk species
Module 2: Native Bee Biology, Diversity, and Habitat Needs
- Overview of native bee diversity: ground nesting, wood/stem nesting, cavitiy nesting
- Life history of solitary and social bees
- Nesting habitat
- Other beneficial insects
Module 3: Pollinator Habtiat Restoration and Management
- Conservation planning and design considerations for pollinator habitat
- Habitat installation procedures: site prep, planting methods, management during establisment period, maintenance, lessons learned, examples
- Long term habitat management
Module 4: Additional Resources
- USDA conservation programs, technical and financial assistance
- Other resources for farmers
Wrap up and Course Evaluations
- Q&A and Additional Resources
- **Please complete and return course evaluation**
Instructors
Eric Lee-Mader, Pollinator Program Co-Director, The Xerces Society
Eric manages staff focused on large-scale habitat restoration, conservation biocontrol, native seed research and development, and outreach to farmers, private businesses, and government agencies. His professional background includes commercial beekeeping, native seed production, and consulting for various specialty crop industries. Eric was previously assistant professor of extension at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Entomology and is the author of a book on how to manage bees for the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Eric regularly provides on-the-ground technical support to the NRCS and other conservation agencies. He is the lead author of numerous publications, including Farming with Native Beneficial Insects and Attracting Native Pollinators.