cover crops artwork © andrew holder/xerces society step 1- recognize resource: habitat patches

Cover crops

Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society

Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Snags



Excavated soil



Gardens



Riparian buffers



Fallow and unproductive land



Crops



Step 2 - Adapt Current Practices

Make simple changes.

For example:

• Protect and value habitat

• Create pesticide buffers and adjust application methods to do least harm

• Do not overspray habitat

• Maximize untilled areas

• Maintain floral consistency from year to year

• Allow crops to bolt

• Reconsider what is a weed

Photo: Matthew Shepherd

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches

Photo: NRCS/Ron Nichols

Choose a diversity of native or naturalized plants that:

• Provide abundant nectar & pollen

• Bloom throughout the year, especially early and late

• Can serve as a “bridge” between crops

TAXA APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT

Colletes (inaequalis, validis)

Andrena

Agochlora pura

Agochlorella striata

Halictus (females)

Lasioglossum (females)

Osmia

Bombus

© Data from Steve Javorek, Agriculture Canada


Select plants that provide forage to support bees before and after crop bloom.

Example: flight periods of native bees in relation to blueberry bloom.


Photos: Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan, Tim Dring, Berry Botanic Garden

Retain or create bare soil.

• Keep areas of bare ground

• Maximize untilled areas

• Plant native bunch grasses

• Clear away some plants from well drained slopes

• Increase use of no-till farming techniques

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Ground nests

Photos: Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd

No-till and squash

• Virginia: No-till farms hosted three times more native squash bees than did conventional farms

Photo: Bob Hammond, CO Coop Ext

© James Cane

Shuler, et al. 2005. Farming Practices Influence Wild Pollinator Populations on Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3):790-795

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Ground nests

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Tunnel nests

Retain or create tunnels

• Protect snags wherever possible

• Provide artificial nests?

Photos: Mace Vaughan; Katharina Ullman

Photos: Jeff Adams; Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Wood nests

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Bumble bee nests

Photos: Matthew Shepherd; NRCS/Lynn Betts

Retain or create nest sites.

• Grassy margins

• Maximize “wild” areas on and around farm

• Provide artificial nests

Pesticides cause significant damage to pollinator insect populations.

• Prevent overspray or drift onto adjacent habitat

• Use most targeted application

• Use active ingredients with least impact on bees

• Don’t spray on plants in bloom

• Spray at night and when dry

• Consider alternatives: Pheromone traps and baits Pest-resistant crops

Surround

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Reduce pesticide risk

Paying for New Pollinator Habitat

The 2008 Farm Bill:

• Makes pollinators and their habitat a priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist (NRCS & FSA)

• Encourages the inclusion of pollinator habitat in all USDA-administered conservation programs

Photo: Eric Mader

Financial Programs Available to Growers

Farm Bill Conservation Programs:

• EQIP, WHIP, CSP, CRP, CREP, SAFE, GRP, WRP, etc

Conservation Practices:

More than thirty NRCS conservation practices can include habitat for pollinators.

New: CA Pollinator hedgerow• Option 1: Hedgerow ($1.53/ft)

• Option 2: Wildlife hedgerow ($1.65/ft)

• Option 3: Pollinator Hedgerow ($4.47/ft)

Photo: John Anderson, Hedgerow Farms

Case Study: Willamette Valley berry farm

EQIP cost share:

340 Cover Crop

327 Conservation Cover

Photo: NRCS

NRCS Conservation Programs

Case Study: Willamette Valley berry farm

Other practices that apply:

380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment

612 Tree/Shrub Establishment

Photo: NRCS

NRCS Conservation Programs

• NEW: Draft Using Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator Conservation

• Farming for Pollinators brochure

• California Technology Note (in development)

Further Information: NRCS

Further Information: Xerces Society

• Xerces Society publications

• www.xerces.org

• (503) 232-6639

• [email protected]

A diverse community of wild native bees can provide significant pollination for many crops.

Habitat can support wild pollinators as well as managed native and honey bees:• plant forage patches• create nest sites• minimize pesticide risk

Farm Bill conservation programs can be used to create change on the ground for pollinators.

Take Home Message

Photo: Mace Vaughan

www.xerces.org (follow links to pollinator program)

Thanks

Photo: Mace Vaughan

Alexis Vertolli and Butte County RCD

Many excellent scientists and farmers

Financial support from Xerces Society Members NRCS: CA state, West National

Tech Center, Ag Wildlife Conservation Center

CS Fund Columbia Foundation Turner Foundation Dudley Foundation Bullitt Foundation Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Richard and Rhoda Goldman

Foundation Panta Rhea Foundation

The New Farm Bill

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (p. 140) (3) In determining the amount and rate of payments under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may accord great significance to a practice that, as determined by the Secretary, promotes—

(A) residue management; (B) nutrient management; (C) air quality management; (D) invasive species management; (E) pollinator habitat; (F) animal carcass management…

Photo: Mace Vaughan

The New Farm Bill

Administrative Requirements for Conservation Programs (P. 161) (h) ENCOURAGEMENT OF POLLINATOR HABITAT DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION.—In carrying out any conservation program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may, as appropriate, encourage—

(1) the development of habitat for native and managed pollinators; and (2) the use of conservation practices that benefit native and managed pollinators.

Photo: Mace Vaughan

cover crops artwork © andrew holder/xerces society step 1- recognize resource: habitat patches

Documents

habitat patchesstep

habitat patches fallow

matthew shepherdno

matthew shepherdstep

native squash bees

forage patchesselect

diversity of native

naturalized plants