DOCSLIB.ORG

Summer 2015 Skagit Conservation District

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Summer 2015 Skagit Conservation District SKAGIT CONSERVATION DISTRICT News Volume 31, Number 2 SCDSOIL • WATER • WOODLAND Summer 2015 Skagit Conservation District O ering free technical, nancial, and educational resources for landowners PROGRAMS INCLUDE Livestock/Small Farm Planning Youth Education Forestry Planning Native Plant Sales INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Community Wildfire Preparedness Planning • Fire & Forestry ........................ 2-3 Conservation Easements • Lessons from the Field ............... 4 Engineering Services • Samish News .......................... 5-8 Adult Education/Volunteer Programs • Kids for Conservation ................. 9 • On the Farm .............................10 www.skagitcd.org • Backyard Conservation .............11 • Community Stewardship ......12-14 • SCD Sta and Board News .........15 FIRE & FORESTRY STRESSED OUT FORESTS Humans know all too well what it means to be stressed out. o Diseased and insect infested trees are much more prone Things like work, relationship problems, tra c, and money to wild re ignition and spread. immediately come to mind. But did you know that forests can o Healthy trees that normally store carbon and o set fossil be stressed, too? Wait a second! Forests don’t have feelings! True, fuel emissions cannot properly store carbon if they are (although there are some that might disagree) but they can still stressed. Also, the carbon that is “banked” in our forests get stressed in a physical way. Healthy forests provide a plethora gets released to the atmosphere during a wild re when of bene ts to the functioning of our planet and the species that the trees are burning. exist on it. As humans, our existence is tied to our forests whether o Intense wild res can destroy the important organic we realize it or not. When forests get stressed, and those bene ts layer in the soil and cause massive soil erosion during that humans and other living things rely on start to slip away, our rain events because of the hydrophobic layer formed on future begins look a bit gloomy. The the soil when it has been destroyed. key to avoiding a stressed out, gloomy Soil productivity is essential to water future is to identify and address forest quality and stream ow. health problems BEFORE we see the “We are In Skagit County stressors to our forests dead trees. are interconnected with changes Bene ts of healthy forests: STRESSED on the landscape and climate; often . Clean water – healthy forests becoming a complicated and detailed act as a sponge to store, lter OUT!” web of cause and e ect. There are and release water within the two perspectives to take; one when watershed considering forest health, and one . Oxygen when addressing forest health. When . Fish and wildlife habitat considering the issue of the health of . Timber and other forest products a forest, it is important to look at the . Recreation bigger picture; considering things like . Long-term carbon storage that changing climate conditions, long- o sets fossil fuel emissions term planning, and the role of that forest within the entire watershed. Stream ow, duration & quality As an example of reasons why to is improved in a healthy consider changing climate as a major functioning forest factor in forest health, just take a look . Aquifer recharge at parts of California where the iconic . Habitat connectivity redwoods are dying at an alarming Sources of stress to our forests: rate due to drought stress. These . Population expansion, environmental changes can result in conversion to non-forest use, and tree species shifts, transforming the fragmentation of forestlands. forest landscape. o Wildlife habitat is reduced and fragmented; travel corridors and passages are lost. o Secondary conditions can cause water quality issues, like increased impervious pavement resulting in stormwater runo and pollution in local waterways. o Increased wildland-urban interface areas (the area where homes are adjacent to natural areas such as forests), which means greater risk of community damage/ destruction from wild res as well as damage to natural resources . Changing climate conditions With projected increases in temperatures, and reduced Photosynthesis 6CO2+ 6H2O+673 o Kcal (sunlight) = C H O +6O snowpack in the spring leading to drier conditions and 6 12 6 2 drought, trees compete for moisture. As competition increases and there is less available water, the trees get stressed. This stress results in their susceptibility to insect infestations and disease. 2 FIRE & FORESTRY The other perspective is much narrower. When addressing forest N. Johnson “A Restoration Framework for Federal Forests in the health issues, we really need to be keying in to speci c ecological Paci c Northwest”, published in the Journal of Forestry, December sites. For example, on a 5 acre lot, there may be one area where 2012. The authors propose a forest restoration strategy where hardwoods proliferate and the soil stays moist and another area forest types are based on ecological strati cation rather than within that same lot where lodgepole pine grows and the soils the traditional categorization of “Westside forests” and “Eastside are much drier. Would we want to address these two areas the forests”. Conditions typically associated with one or the other same way? Of course not! Knowing the speci cs of your site in occur on both sides of the Cascade Range. An example is the order to make smart management decisions is key. Managing Paradise Fire currently burning in Olympic National Park in the your forest so that the healthiest trees can thrive is one of the rainforest. The re is occurring very early in the season and most important things a forest landowner can do. Removing burning through the canopy due to unseasonably hot and dry trees in poor health will reduce the competition for available soil conditions that haven’t been seen since the Forks re in 1951. moisture and reduce threat from insects and disease. Actively It may seem a bummer to have to think about and address losing managing your forest provides important opportunities for the fundamental bene ts of our forests, but it’s too late to think adaptation because forests are the most plentiful source of the about it when the trees are red with disease and the landscape cleanest water. As water becomes increasingly scarce and air is scarred and blackened by re. Consider the social cost of quality concerns increase, the importance of maintaining healthy permanently losing forests. We have the ability to avert such forests in watersheds will increase substantially. The argument catastrophe and help establish resilient, healthy, bene cial forests for managing our forests based on ecological site conditions by looking at the big picture and getting out and helping our is well supported by new research provided by J. Franklin and forests thrive. For more information or assistance with assessing the health of your forest, please contact our Forester, Al Craney at 360-428-4313, or email [email protected]. You can also visit our website at skagitcd.org/forestry For other useful information, check out this webinar from the Western Governors’ Association called “Managing Forest Health for Water Resources” that can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGx-ilbKDhk QUICK TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS: WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS With re weather conditions so extreme this summer, it is a good idea for homeowners to be prepared! If you haven’t already given it thought, it’s time to get outside and take some action. Here are some quick tips for wild re preparedness. Wild re Preparedness Above: This house features Quick Tips: Firewise constructi on concepts such as a metal roof Increase the resilience of your home and non-combusti ble siding. by replacing ammable siding, roof and deck materials with non-combus- tible materials. Left : Some additi onal ti ps for around the yard/property. 1. Clear brush from along your This area is referred to as driveway to allow better access for “defensible space”, which is the emergency vehicles and make sure natural and landscaped area your address sign is clearly visible around a structure that has been (e.g. re ective numbering). maintained and designed to reduce fi re danger. 2. Clean roofs, gutters and decks; remove dead branches and pine needles; move ammable furniture inside if leaving for more than a day. Need some guidance with wild re preparedness 3. Replace vent screens with 1/8” or on your property? smaller metal mesh. Call our Firewise Program Coordinator, Jenny Hinderman, 4. Move wood piles at least 30 feet 360-428-4313 or email [email protected] to set up a free site visit. away from structures. 3 SCD • PAGE 5 LESSONS FROM THE FIELD The Cure for Knotweed: A success story here has been a lot of e ort The next spring, 6 foot tall hooker T the past few years to control willow and paci c willow whips were Japanese knotweed. As described planted in a very tight spacing, 2 to "Although this process may by Department of Ecology, “Japanese 3 feet from each other. These were seem slow, it has resulted in knotweed is an escaped ornamental densely planted in hopes that they the ideal outcome – that is becoming increasingly would have a chance to leaf out and a complete eradication common along stream corridors and start forming a canopy to shade out of a dense stand of invasive rights-of-way in Washington. The the fast growing knotweed. In order species forms dense stands that crowd to give the newly planted willows a knotweed ..." out all other vegetation, degrading leg up on the knotweed competition, native plant and animal habitat. This one application of herbicide was perennial plant is di cult to control applied to the knotweed. By year three, 2010, the willows had because it has extremely vigorous developed a good canopy and were rhizomes that form a deep, dense mat.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pollination and Botanic Gardens Contribute to the Next Issue of Roots
    Botanic Gardens Conservation International Education Review Volume 17 • Number 1 • May 2020 Pollination and botanic gardens Contribute to the next issue of Roots The next issue of Roots is all about education and technology. As this issue goes to press, most botanic gardens around the world are being impacted by the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19. With many Botanic Gardens Conservation International Education Review Volume 16 • Number 2 • October 2019 Citizen gardens closed to the public, and remote working being required, Science educators are having to find new and innovative ways of connecting with visitors. Technology is playing an ever increasing role in the way that we develop and deliver education within botanic gardens, making this an important time to share new ideas and tools with the community. Have you developed a new and innovative way of engaging your visitors through technology? Are you using technology to engage a Botanic Gardens Conservation International Education Review Volume 17 • Number 1 • April 2020 wider audience with the work of your garden? We are currently looking for a variety of contributions including Pollination articles, education resources and a profile of an inspirational garden and botanic staff member. gardens To contribute, please send a 100 word abstract to [email protected] by 15th June 2020. Due to the global impacts of COVID-19, BGCI’s 7th Global Botanic Gardens Congress is being moved to the Australian spring. Join us in Melbourne, 27 September to 1 October 2021, the perfect time to visit Victoria. Influence and Action: Botanic Gardens as Agents of Change will explore how botanic gardens can play a greater role in shaping our future.
    [Show full text]
  • FESTIVAL MISSOURI American Water
    OCEANIC: 26th ANNUAL CONTINENTAL: FESTIVAL MISSOURI American Water ECOSYSTEM: COMMUNITY: MEDIA: THE Gateway ® Your GuideGardener to Enjoyable Gardening and Easy-Care Landscapes The Healthy Planet St. Louis’ Natural Living Magazine www.thehealthyplanet.com • • NEIGHBORHOOD AND EARTH DAY ADVOCATES: APRIL 26 2015 10AM – 6PM Ameren Missouri Pure Power I Banfield Pet Hospital I Better Life I BOLT Construction ChooseBranson I Farmer Girl Meats I Great Rivers Greenway I Kaldi’s Coffee THE MUNY GROUNDS AT FOREST PARK Katy Land Trust I Metro Arts in Transit I Metro Lighting I Microgrid Energy Missouri Department of Natural Resources I MRC Recycling I The Muny I Pedro’s Planet Purina I Saint Louis University - Center for Sustainability I St. Louis Cardinals 4 A Greener Game Thrivent Financial I Trailnet I Upper Limits Rock Gym I USAgain Designed by Cfx I cfx-inc.com I Printed by The Advertisers Printing Co. - SPG Certified CONTENTS EARTH DAY CHALLENGE Earth Day Challenge...................................................................................................................... 2 The Earth Day Challenge is designed to encourage Festival attendees to incorporate low-impact About St. Louis Earth Day ...........................................................................................................3-4 behaviors into their everyday lives, making the Earth a cleaner, healthier place to live. Complete Commitment to Sustainability ...................................................................................................5-6 at
    [Show full text]
  • Etd-10022017-095833.Pdf (15.33 Mb )
    Template B v3.0 (beta): Created by J. Nail 06/2015 Assessing visual preference among fourth grade students for habitat components on educational green roofs in Starkville, Mississippi By TITLE PAGE Amy Counterman A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Mississippi State University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Landscape Architecture in Landscape Architecture in the Department of Landscape Architecture Mississippi State, Mississippi December 2017 Copyright by COPYRIGHT PAGE Amy Counterman 2017 Assessing visual preference among fourth grade students for habitat components on educational green roofs in Starkville, Mississippi By APPROVAL PAGE Amy Counterman Approved: ____________________________________ Robert F. Brzuszek (Committee Chair) ____________________________________ Timothy J. Schauwecker (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Peter R. Summerlin (Committee Member) ____________________________________ Michael Seymour (Graduate Coordinator) ____________________________________ George M. Hopper Dean College of Agriculture and Life Science Name: Amy Counterman ABSTRACT Date of Degree: December 8, 2017 Institution: Mississippi State University Major Field: Landscape Architecture Major Professor: Robert Brzuszek Title of Study: Assessing visual preference among fourth grade students for habitat components on educational green roofs in Starkville, Mississippi Pages in Study 148 Candidate for Degree of Master of Landscape Architecture As urbanization grows wildlife habitat is displaced
    [Show full text]
  • How to Make and Manage a Bee Hotel: Instructions That Really Work by Marc Carlton, Updated November 2017
    How to Make and Manage a Bee Hotel: Instructions that Really Work By Marc Carlton, updated November 2017 What are Solitary Bees ? As well as Bumblebees and Honey bees (that live socially) there are over 240 species of wild bees in the UK that are called 'solitary bees' because they make individual nest cells for their larvae. Most species nest in small tunnels or holes in the ground or in sandy banks, piles of sand, or crumbling mortar or sparse starved lawns. You can leave areas of bare soil or gravel in your garden for these. Others use the hollow stems of dead plants such as brambles, or tunnels previously bored into dead wood by beetles. A number of species of small solitary wasps share a similar lifestyle. Harmless to us, they are predators of small insects. Some of the more distinctive ones that are common in gardens are described in my fact sheet about solitary bees and gardens. Although they are known as solitary bees, some species will group their nest cells together in aggregations, and a few have evolved social behaviour rather like bumblebees. Many solitary bees are very small and you may not have realised they are bees. All collect nectar and pollen from flowers, except the so-called 'cuckoo' species that lay their eggs in the nest cells of other species. Solitary bees are harmless and not aggressive. They rarely if ever sting unless trodden on or squashed between your fingers. They do not have painful stings like honeybees. In most cases if they attempt to sting, you will not even feel it.
    [Show full text]
  • Building an Insect Hotel Habitat
    Building an Insect Hotel Habitat Why Build One? Our gardens are home to a wide range of living creatures. An average garden could hold over 2,000 different species of insect! With all this diversity of life it is good to know that very few creatures cause significant damage to our prized flowers, fruit and vegetables, the ones that gardeners call pests. Even better, there are many more creatures that help us control the pests. By providing the right habitats we can greatly increase the number of beneficial insects in the garden. Some wild invertebrates, such as bumblebees and solitary bees, are declining in numbers in the wider countryside, so by providing homes we can contribute to their conservation. The Insect Hotel on display is built entirely from recycled materials. The main structure is discarded pallets, and much of the additional wood is the product of routine woodland management operations. This sheet tells you how to build a similar habitat, but if this is too ambitious, there are plenty of ideas which can be used on a smaller scale in any garden. Where to site your habitat Many invertebrates like cool damp conditions, so you can site your habitat in semi shade, by a hedge or under a tree. Putting the habitat close to other wildlife features, such as an overgrown hedge, a shrubbery or a pond will make it easier for small creatures to find it. Not all creatures like to be in the shade: solitary bees like a warm sunny spot, so put tubes for bees on the sunniest side of the habitat, or put them elsewhere in the garden.
    [Show full text]
  • Grimes County Master Gardeners
    Texas Master Gardeners August 2019 Volume 11, Issue VIII Grimes County Master Gardeners Garden Tips for August Well, here it is….hot, dry summer. Its maintenance time to keep all those plants thriv- Inside this issue: ing and adequately watered. Here are a few August gardening tips: • Heirloom and hybrid roses have stopped blooming in the hottest time of the sum- Growing Succulents 2 mer but now is the time to prune back about 25% to generate new growth for blooms in the fall. Types of Succulents 3 • If your water source contains large amounts of salts then now is a good time to dissolve and flush out your containers and plant beds by watering twice as long Building an Insect Hotel 4 and deep. In dry conditions, salts will accumulate in the soil and cause poor per- formance. Events Calendar 5 • If you keep a garden journal, now is a good time to walk around your garden and check to see which flowers are blooming. Only the toughest can keep going this Grimes County Master 6 Gardeners time of year. • Take a look at the graph below to find which vegetables can be planted in our area now for a fall garden. Remember, most tomatoes take about 90 days to set fruit. Cacti are Ninety days from August 1st is November 1st. The likelihood of frost in early No- succulents but vember is slim but it has happened in the past. not all succulents are cacti Pa ge 2 Grimes County Master Gardeners Volume 11, Issue VIII Growing Succulents Are you a beginner gardener or just looking for something easy to grow? Then look no further than the succulent.
    [Show full text]
  • White Palace
    Model: WHITE PALACE Guests of the hotel rooms BUTTERFLIES (e.g. Admiral, Peacock, Hawk moth) These two rooms are filled with butterflies in bad weather and in winter. Different butterfly species, such as the 1 Brimstone, the Peacock or the Painted Lady like to hide in hollow spaces such as these and are looking specifically to rest and shelter here. SOLITARY BEES (e.g. Wood Bees, Mason Bees, Plasterer Bees) 2 The hollow reed branches provide optimal breeding grounds for a variety of bee and wasp species. In the tubes the insects‘ eggs are stored and then “bricked up” by the mother through secretion. After the stadium of pupated grubs several months, in spring-time/summer the young bees enclose and begin their new live in freedom in your garden. ANTS & BEETLES (e.g. useful Forest Ants, Wood Beetles, Ground Beetles) Different ants and beetles prefer loosely inserted wood shavings as nesting aid. They also feel at home here, to crea- 3 te a neighbourhood in the winter. Ants loosen the top layers of soil and also feed on, for example, spiders. Ground beetles secretly feed at night on snails, grubs, caterpillars and potato beetles. BEETLES & FLIES (e.g. Ladybirds, Ground beetles, Lacewings) 4 Lacewings eat a wide variety of lice species and use the room all year round as a shelter. Guests, such as ladybirds, feed on spider mites and aphid and use the room, especially at night and in the winter. So you can benefit from natural pest control. WASPS (e.g. peaceful Gold Wasps, Grab Wasps, Loam Wasps) These “suites” are preferably booked by harmless wasps and bees.
    [Show full text]
  • Krischik, Vera A. and E. Tenczar. 2014. Pollinator Conservation
    Page 1 of 10 Center for Urban Pollinator Conservation Ecology and Sustainability Vera Krischik and Emily Tenczar, University of Minnesota, August 2014 www.entomology.umn.edu/cues Bees pollinate Bees are Important Pollinators native plants so seeds can be produced. Bees pollinate many crops. FROM: Native bees are threatened by Bees and other pollinators provide pollination services for 70 percent of all flowering habitat loss, plants, which result in seeds and fruits. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone lack of nectar species in most terrestrial ecosystems. Fruits and seeds derived from insect pollination are a major part of the diet of birds, and of mammals ranging from red-backed voles to and pollen grizzly bears. However, many of our native bee pollinators are at risk, and the status of plants, and many more is unknown. Habitat loss, habitat alteration, and fragmentation, pesticide use, insecticides. and introduced diseases all contribute to the declines of bees. Bees can be divided into two groups by their lifestyles, either solitary or social. Only a few Honey bees are species of bees are social. Social bees share a nest, and divide the work of building the threatedend by nest, caring for the offspring, and foraging for pollen and nectar. The principal social bees Varroa mites, are the honey bee, which is not native to the U.S. and about forty-five US species of management native bumble bees. practices, lack The life cycle of a typical bumble bee colony. Illustration by David Wysotski, Allure Illustration. of nectar and pollen plants, 1. A queen emerges from and hibernation in spring and finds a nest site, such as a mouse insecticides.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigate Aphids: Teachers Handbook
    Stage 3 Science and Technology Competition Teacher’s Handbook and Learning Sequence NSW Department of Primary Industries Schools Program [email protected] www.dpi.nsw.gov.au Lead Author: Jess Fedorow (Project Officer Education, NSW DPI Orange). Editors, Advisors and Co-authors: Michelle Fifield (Education Officer Schools, NSW DPI Orange) and Jo Hathway (Project Officer Education, NSW DPI Tocal). Technical Advisors: Ainsley Seago (Technical Manager Insect Collection, NSW DPI) and Rachel Taylor-Hukins (NSW Grains Biosecurity Officer, NSW DPI). Design: Nicky Parker (Wild Poppy Design) and Jessica Green (Digital Media and Design Officer, NSW DPI). Illustrator: Ainsley Seago. Acknowledgements The Investigate competition and this resource are an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Schools Program and have been developed in consultation with the NSW Department of Education. We would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank Tanya Coli (NSW Department of Education) for her insight and assistance in the development of the Investigate: aphids competition and documentation. NSW Department of Primary Industries staff are acknowledged for their contribution to this document. Disclaimer The information in this document is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (November 2016). Copyright © State of NSW through the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development 2016, except where indicated otherwise. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons-Attribution- Non Commercial- Share Alike 4.0 International license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ Under this license the material is available for free use and adaption. Educators may use, adapt, communicate and re- publish material from the resource.
    [Show full text]
  • Insect Hotel
    114.815 Insect hotel Necessary tools: Please Note Wood glue The OPITEC range of projects is not intended as play toys for young Hammer, penci,ruler children.They are teaching aids for young people learning the skills Drills 4mm,8mm diameter ( Filling, hanger) of Craft, Design and Technology.These projects should only be un- dertaken and tested with the guidance of a fully qualified adult. Hot glue gun ( Filling) The finished projects are not suitable to give to children under 3 years old. Some parts can be swallowed. Danger of suffocation! PARTS LIST Base plate 5 114x112x13 Base 1 Sides 10 178x80x12 Sides 2 Base 5 80x60x12 Base 3 Roof 5 130x95x12 Dach 4 Rear wall 5 190x83x3,5 Rear 5 Mesh 2 140x80 Abdeckgitter 6 Front plate 1 140x58x12 Front 7 Nails,fixings Fixings 8 diverse filling material Filling 9 General: This pack contains material for 5 insect houses.You can make two houses with fixed filling, two with loose filling ( mesh) and a butterfly house In conjunction with: Note. Glue all the parts together first and then fix with nails! In diesem Bausatz ist das Material für 5 Insektenhäuser enthalten. Es können zwei Häuser mit fester (eingeklebter) Füllung, zwei Häuser mit Loser Füllung (Schutzgitter) sowie ein Schmetterlingshaus hergestellt werden. Hinweis: Alle Teile erst verleimen und dann mit Nägeln fixieren! D114815#2 1 INSTRUCTIONS 1 8a 2 8a 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 8a 2 2 2 2 3 1 3 8a 4 4 4 45 4 20 3 ø8 5 4 2 2 2 5 2 2 5 2 1 8b 1 1 1 5 Glue in reed 6 Glue in the cane pine cones or fix with a 4 4 mesh 6 Insert bark 6 Drill ø4 pieces, add 8c 2 2 and ø8mm the mesh to 6 holes in the stop them wood falling out 1 1 9 7 4 4 8a 2 2 7 8a Fill with thin twigs 7 1 7 2 D114815#1 1 BAUANLEITUNG 2 4 3 1 5 1 Beetle & Flies (z.B.
    [Show full text]
  • July-August 2014
    What’s Growing On? The Fletcher Wildlife Garden Newsletter www.ofnc.ca/fletcherWWW.OFNC.CA/ July - August 2014 FLETCHER.PHP Summer Days It's been a long time coming, but summer has finally taken hold. The Fletcher Wildlife Garden is awash with blooms, birds, and insects. Our three regular volunteer crews — as well as a number of volunteers who work on their own — are taking advantage of the warm days to continue their hard work maintaining the garden. But help is always needed, so come along and join us – your help counts. In this issue, we learn about the Emerald Ash Borer, a destructive little beetle that was the cause of the massive cut down of our beloved Ash Woods. We also take a look back at our successful annual plant sale, an award given to the FWG by the City of Ottawa, an in-depth look at the goings on in the Backyard Garden, a new scientific project, and the frustration of trying to get the FWG's main road named and mapped. And we have our returning favorites: Nature Notes and Things I Learned on Facebook. Don’t forget to check our photo galleries frequently – www.pbase.com/fwg. Christine has been posting fascinating photos of insects: a tiny mayfly with huge eyes, red wasp cocoons, oak In recent years, House Wrens have become a regular nesting bird at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, usually aphids, a giant swallowtail butterfly, a white-marked tussock fledging two broods a year. caterpillar, and more. Most are colourful and beautiful and the photos are works of art.
    [Show full text]
  • Windows to Wildlife Newsletter
    Windows to Wildlife A bee, a crocus flower, and pollen © (CC-BY-SA) morganglines on Flickr CC. For the Bees: Planting a Pollinator-Friendly Garden Creating an oasis in your own backyard Written by Daniel Murphy* Native Plant Horticulture Technician, Idaho Botanical Garden There is mounting concern regarding declines in pollinator populations. Numerous species are experiencing significant losses – some are now threatened with extinction while others have disappeared altogether. The honey bee is probably the most familiar pollinator, and its plight is well documented. According to a survey by the Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club, 312 honey bee colonies were being managed in the valley in fall of 2012. By spring of 2013, that number was down by half. Club president, Chad Dickinson, attributed much of this loss to an unusually cold winter and mismanagement by beekeepers. These issues combined with numerous others resulted in a tough year for local honey bees. Habitat degradation and loss, the spread of pests and diseases, extensive pesticide use, and climate change all play a role in pollinator decline. With 75% of all flowering plants requiring pollinators to set seed or fruit – 1/3 of which are human food sources – it is imperative that we address the threats that pollinators face. And it isn’t just honey bees that are in danger – virtually all pollinators are threatened. North America is home to thousands of pollinating insects, including numerous species of bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, and beetles... all with varying habitat and forage needs. Many of these native insects, including the blue orchard bee and the eastern bumble bee, are just as important for agricultural pollination as the non-native honey bee.
    [Show full text]