Technical Manual for Maintaining Roadsides for Pollinators Establishment, Restoration, Management and Maintenance A Guide for State DOT Managers and Staff Mary Galea, Vicki Wojcik, Ph.D., Laurie Davies Adams, and Evan Cole technical technical manual technical
[email protected] • www.pollinator.org • Copyright Pollinator Partnership© 2016 2 contents Technical Manual for Maintaining Roadsides for Pollinators How to Use This Guide _______________________________ 5 Introduction ________________________________________ 5 Fast ACT Pollinator-Beneficial Provisions ________________ 6 Roadside Ecology and Pollinators _____________________ 8 Maintaining Roadsides for Pollinators: Step by Step ____12 Roadsides as Pollinator Habitat Roadmap _____________18 Case Studies _______________________________________19 Education, Outreach, and Certification ________________ 21 Roadside Habitat Enhancements _____________________22 Pollinator Habitat Site Evaluation Rubric _______________24 Reference Sections __________________________________26 Basic Pollinator Resources ___________________________33 References Used in the Guide ________________________34 Final Thoughts ______________________________________35 Photo: Leah Lewis contents 3 A Guide for State DOT Managers and Staff 4 Technical Manual for Maintaining Roadsides for Pollinators POLLINATORS ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR ECOSYSTEMS AND TO How to use AGRICULTURE BUT THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. HABITAT LOSS, PES- TICIDES, PESTS, INVASIVE SPECIES, AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE this guide THREATS TO BEES, BUTTERFLIES, BIRDS, MOTHS, AND OTHER insects that pollinate. Supporting habitat for pollina- tors is key, and roadsides across the country add up to more than 17 million miles of potential habitat. The roadsides that you manage and maintain have can help support pollinators. Modifications to your existing maintenance practices can make the difference and they include four simple steps: 1. Reduce mowing. 2. Use an Integrated Vegetation Management ap- proach to address weed and pest issues. 3. Plant or seed native plants to enhance habitat.