Join the Xerces Society at the 33rd annual EcoFarm Conference for a full day short course, workshops, and one-on-one consultations.

EcoFarm Conference 2013

Pacific Grove, CA
January 23rd to 26th, 2013

PRE-CONFERENCE POLLINATOR CONSERVATION SHORT COURSE
January 23rd - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Bees, butterflies, and other insects pollinate more than 85% of flowering plants and many fruits and vegetables. In many places, however, this essential service is at risk.

This groundbreaking day-long course is designed to train farmers, farm educators, conservationists, and other agricultural professionals in the latest science-based pollinator conservation methods. The Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Short Course has already been offered in dozens of other states, and has been attended by thousands of people. For the first time ever, the course is being offered in California, at EcoFarm!

Introductory topics include the principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, basic native bee identification, and conducting pollinator habitat assessments. Advanced modules cover land management practices for pollinator protection, habitat restoration methodology, selection of plants for pollinator habitat restoration, and how to access additional financial and technical resources. Throughout the course these concepts are illustrated by case studies of pollinator conservation efforts from across the country.

Registrants receive the Xerces Society's Pollinator Conservation Toolkit which includes the book, Attracting Native Pollinators; Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies, a habitat assessment workbook, information on USDA financial support for pollinator conservation, and much more. Register early, space is limited.

SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

• Learn to increase pollinator diversity and abundance on working lands
• Design land-management practices that minimize impacts on pollinators
• Gain basic skills in native bee identification
• Understand the current economics of insect-pollinated crop production
• Access financial and technical support through USDA conservation programs
• Assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies
• Design and implement habitat improvements, such as hedgerows, field borders, cover-cropping, native plant restoration and nest site enhancements
• Learn to incorporate pollinators into land-management or policy decisions

COURSE AGENDA

Module 1 (9:00 am - 10:00 am) Introduction

• Pollination economics and the role of native bees in commercial crop production
• Pollination biology
• Colony Collapse Disorder and honey bee industry trends

Module 2 (10:00 am - 10:45 am) Basic Bee Biology

• Bee identification
• Identifying pollinator nest sites

Break (10:45 am - 11:00 am)

Module 3 (11:00 am - 12:30 pm) Bee-Friendly Farming

• The value of natural habitat
• Mitigating pesticide damage
• Protecting nesting sites

Module 4 (11:45 am - 12:30 pm) Assessing Pollinator Habitat

• Conducting field observations, native plant selection, and land-use planning
• Examination of pinned specimens, artificial nests, and display materials

Lunch (12:30 pm - 1:15 pm)

Module 5 (1:15 pm - 2:45 pm) Habitat Restoration

• Habitat design considerations
• Plant selection and seed sources
• Site preparation and planting techniques for native wildflowers
• Long-term habitat management

Module 6 (2:45 pm - 3:15 pm) Assessing Technical and Financial Support

• Using USDA cost-share programs and practices for pollinator conservation
• Conservation case studies in California

Module 7 (3:15 pm - 3:30 pm) Additional Resources

Module 8 (3:30 pm - 4:00 pm) Wrap Up

• Questions
• Evaluations
• Raffle

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Eric Mader: Assistant Pollinator Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and Assistant Extension Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Entomology, and USDA-NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP-10-6572).

Jessa Guisse: California Pollinator Habitat Restoration Specialist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Additional Workshop - Attracting Pollinators to the Farm
January 24 - 8:30 am to 10:00 am

Bees, butterflies and other insects pollinate more than 85 percent of flowering plants and many fruits and vegetables. Approximately one in three bites of food and drink requires the presence of a pollinator. Creating habitat that attracts these pollinators is the subject of this informative workshop, with presentations by Jessa Guisse, The Xerces Society and by Tom Broz of Live Earth Farm, both of whom have installed many diverse native plantings designed to attract pollinators. Topics will include the ecology of native pollinators, USDA resources for pollinator conservation, costs and management practices, and findings from The Xerces Society’s pollinator habitat field trials.

SPEAKERS
Jessa Guisse
The Xerces Society
jessa@xerces.org

Tom Broz
Live Earth Farm

Click here to register for the 33rd Annual EcoFarm Conference.

Additional Workshop - Building Your Own Bee Pasture (and Insectary Buffers)!
January 24 - 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Learn proven methods for establishing diverse, long-lasting native wildflower meadows!  Drawing on 6 years of California field testing, Xerces Society biologists will highlight the technical process of site preparation, seeding techniques, and weed management to create functional bee pastures and insectary plantings. Lessons learned including project costs will be illustrated with real world examples. Participants will receive new how-to guides, and a habitat assessment workbook.

SPEAKERS
Jessa Guisse
The Xerces Society
jessa@xerces.org

Eric Mader
The Xerces Society
eric@xerces.org

Click here to register for the 33rd Annual EcoFarm Conference.

One-on-One Consulting for Pollinators and Beneficial Insect Conservation
January 25 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

New this year at Eco-Farm, participants can take advantage of free individual consulting offered by Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation biologists. This service will assist farmers in planning their own pollinator and beneficial insect habitat restoration projects, and in accessing USDA conservation programs for financial assistance.

The Xerces Society is offering several in-depth and general session workshops at EcoFarm, and this service will give attendees a chance to receive more intensive one-on-one advice.

Bring maps of your farm, aerial photos, existing conservation plans and your questions!

For advance scheduling (recommended), please email jessa@xerces.org.