Northeast Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Northeast Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Summary

Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. Despite this, the essential service of pollination is at risk. Habitat loss, as well as pesticide use, has contributed to recent pollinator declines.

Extensive research now demonstrates, however, that protecting or restoring natural habitat on farms is the best way to conserve native pollinators and, at the same time, provide resources that support local honey bees.

In response, the current Farm Bill offers specific support for the creation and protection of wildflower plantings and pollinator nest site sites through USDA conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and others.

At the national level, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has developed guidelines on how to provide pollinator habitat on working farms, but the knowledge to implement these habitat enhancements has not been cultivated at the field office level or among partner agencies and farm educators. This lack of knowledge represents a key constraint to the wider adoption of pollinator conservation.

To overcome that barrier, this project is making in-depth pollinator conservation training available to NRCS conservationists, Soil and Water Conservation District farm planners, Cooperative Extension personnel, state departments of agriculture and natural resources, crop consultants, non-governmental conservation organizations, and the growers of bee-pollinated crops.

This training consists of a full-day Short Course on basic pollinator biology, native bee identification, bee-friendly farm management practices, designing and implementing habitat enhancements, and how to use NRCS programs for pollinator conservation. The Short Course is being offered in all twelve Northeastern SARE states with collaboration by multiple partner organizations, including academic institutions, Cooperative Extension, the NRCS and others.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses will enable 240 farm educators and conservation agency staff to directly support at least 484 farmers in adapting farm practices for pollinator conservation on 24,000 acres of land and to assist at least 60 of those farmers with enrollment in NRCS administered conservation programs.

Accomplishments/Milestones

During the reporting period for Grant ENE10-117, we conducted 5 Short Courses in 5 states, which were attended by more than 250 participants. Additionally, through other funding from the NRCS, we held a short course in Rhode Island (attended by 24 people), one in New Jersey (attended by 48 people), and one in New York (attended by 47 people). The primary audiences at all of these events were staff from the NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Extension, as well as a number of individual farmers, researchers, master gardeners, naturalists, and beekeepers.

Specific accomplishments for ENE10-117 include:

Delaware
On March 23, 2012, we conducted a Short Course at Mt. Cuba Center in Hockessin, DE. We targeted the NRCS staff in MD, DE, and PA, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Forty-six people were in attendance, including twelve NRCS and Conservation District Staff from MD, PA, and DE. Participants included people from NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, Farmers, University graduate students, local nonprofits, and conservation agency staff.

Guest speakers included Heather Harmon Disque and Kaith Kuehn, both with the Delaware Department of Agriculture. Matthew Sarver, ecologist and consultant, also gave a presentation.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

Connecticut
On April 12, 2012, we held a Short Course at the Tolland County Agricultural Center in Vernon, CT. We targeted the NRCS staff in CT, NY, and MA, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Thirty-eight people attended the course, including ten NRCS and Conservation District Staff. Participants included people from NRCS, Conservation Districts, Farmers, Cooperative Extension, Land Trusts, and local nonprofits.

Guest speakers Nels Barrett with Connecticut NRCS and Kimberly Stoner, associate agricultural scientist with the Connecticut agricultural experiment station, provided information about Connecticut specific pollinator conservation endeavors.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

West Virginia
On April 18th, 2012, we conducted a Short Course in Milton, WV at the Pumpkin Park Fair Grounds. We targeted the NRCS staff in WV, VA, and KY, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Forty-six people were in attendance, including twenty-eight representatives from the USDA NRCS and Conservation Districts in Kentucky and West Virginia. Participants included people from NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, Farmers, researchers from local universities and local nonprofit organizations.

Casey Shrader, the state biologist with the West Virginia USDA NRCS, was a guest speaker at the course and spoke to participants about available NRCS programs for farmers.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

Maine
On May 15th, 2012, we held a Short Course at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association fair grounds in Unity, ME. We targeted the NRCS staff in ME, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Eighty-four people were in attendance, including thirty-seven representatives from NRCS and Conservation Districts. Participants included people from local nonprofits, NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, Farmers, and conservation agency staff.

Frank Drummond, professor of insect ecology and insect pest management at the University of Maine, was a guest speaker at this course.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

Vermont
On August 7th, 2012, we held a Short Course at the Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center, Vermont. We targeted the NRCS staff in VT, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Forty-three people were in attendance, including fifteen NRCS agents. Participants included representatives from NRCS, Cooperative Extension, farmers, local nonprofits, and the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Toby Alexander, resource conservationist for the USDA NRCS, was a guest speaker and gave a presentation about how farmers can access funding available for pollinator conservation in Vermont.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

Short Courses supported through other funding from the NRCS
Rhode Island
On October 10th, 2012, we held a short course at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence, Rhode Island. We targeted the NRCS staff in RI, MA, and CT, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Twenty-four people attended this Short Course, including eight NRCS and Conservation District Staff from Rhode Island and Connecticut. Participants also included people from local nonprofits, land trusts, farmers, University researchers, and conservation agency staff.

We had several guest speakers give presentations at this course including: Heather Faubert, Extension Educator; Rosanne Sherry, Horticulturalist, and Vanessa Venturini, Master Gardener Program Coordinator. Gary Casabona, state biologist with the Rhode Island NRCS, also gave a presentation about farm bill programs available to landowners in Rhode Island.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

New Jersey
On April 27th, 2012, we held a short course in partnership with Rachel Winfree at Rutgers University. This course took place at the Snyder Research and Extension Farm in Pittstown, NJ. We targeted the NRCS staff in NJ, PA, and RI, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Forty-eight people were in attendance, including three NRCS staff. Participants included NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofit organizations, and many landowners and specialty crop producers.

Speakers included Dr. Rachael Winfree, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, and Molly MacLeod, Ph.D. student at Rutgers University. Both spoke about their research on native bee pollination services in diversified farms. Tim Dunne, state resource conservationist with NJ USDA NRCS, also spoke about NRCS programs available for farmers in New Jersey.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices.

New York
On September 13th, 2012 we held a short course the USDA NRCS Big Flats Plant Materials Center in Big Flats, NY. We targeted the NRCS staff in NY and PA, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Forty-seven people attended the short course, including twelve NRCS and Conservation District staff. Participants included NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofit organizations, the native seed industry, farmers, and conservation agencies.

As part of this and other Short Course sessions, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training. Other highlights of the tour included an in-field native wildflower and pollinator identification session and a tour of demonstration cover cropping systems that are integrating pollinator conservation practices at the Plant Materials Center.

• Participants at Short Course
• Participants at Short Course

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

To date, more than 215 people participated in the Short Course in 2010, 221 people participated in 2011, and 257 people participated in 2012 (our overall performance target was 240, so we have greatly exceeded that goal). Through separate funding from the NRCS, an additional 119 people participated in the Short Course in 2012.

In addition, we continue to raise awareness among farm educators about pollinators in a way that is directly affecting their work. Specifically, based upon post event questionnaires, 93% of Extension educators and NRCS staff participants said that the Short Course changed how they would advise farmers on management practices to support pollinators, and 94% of participants said they planned to incorporate pollinator conservation into their own outreach efforts.

While the Short Course specifically targets farm educators and farm agency staff, a number of farmers attended each event. Among them, 89% said that attending the Short Course changed how they would support pollinators on their farms, with 91% of farmers reporting that they plan on creating more farm habitat for native bees. Forty-four percent of those participating farmers reported that they plan on providing new pollinator habitat specifically through USDA administered conservation programs.

Finally, specific feedback from Short Course participants is consistently and overwhelming positive. Examples of specific comments include:

“My expectations were exceeded. This was a wonderful well put together presentation and VERY informative and visually engaging.”
-Delaware

“The workshop speakers and photos were excellent!”
-Horticulturalist, Delaware

“All modules were excellent and well presented.”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Delaware

“I was familiar with the Xerces Society and so had strong expectations. The actual program fully satisfied these.”
-Landscape architect, Connecticut

“My expectations were far exceeded. This was terrific! Jolie is an excellent presenter.”
-Land Trust Representative, Connecticut

“Course more than met my expectations. I actually expected Powerpoint presentations without advanced training + experience. Event participant provide a great resource.”
-Educator, Connecticut

“The session exceeded my expectations!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, West Virginia

“Obtain a greater understanding of pollinators. Yes expectations were exceeded. Good job!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, West Virginia

“Getting information to pass on to growers + ag support staff. Yes!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, West Virginia

“I expected to learn about bees. My expectations were surpassed. Eric does a great job bringing “common sense” to the subject.”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Maine

“I wasn’t sure what to expect or who the audience would be. I didn’t expect so much information on planting bee forage and was pleasantly surprised by it. Expectations were more than fulfilled. This was overall excellent and extremely valuable. Thank you!!”
-University Researcher, Maine

“I hoped for a solid introduction to pollinator conservation. This was certainly fulfilled. Excellent workshop!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Maine

“(My expectations were) Exceeded. Eric was so knowledgeable & a great speaker.”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Maine

“Learn about pollinators, how to identify them + how (what) to encourage others to do to support our native pollinators. Yes! Excellent workshop – love the book!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Maine

“Eric Mader was an excellent presenter – very knowledgeable and clear. Supporter presentations excellent too. One of the best workshops I have attended in years!
-Forester, Maine

“I was open to a wide variety of topics not knowing exactly what this would like. Description I read was captivating and I had to attend. Excellent information – good presenters, good breaks. Loved this knowledgeable, experienced – nice rapport w/audience.”
-Landowner, Maine

“To understand more about the pollinators themselves and how to enhance & create habitat both within & without NRCS programs. YES (expectations exceeded)!!”
-Agricultural Agency Staff, Vermont

No major challenges have arisen during the reporting period. One factor that we have now addressed is our organizational capacity. Each Short Course that we conduct inevitably results in a flood of additional workshop requests, as well as follow-up inquiries for farm-specific technical support. We believe that this response reflects the quality of the training that we offer. To help meet these many requests for specific project support, we reduced our target number of Short Courses from five to four in 2011, but due to new staff hires, we were able to increase our target number of Short Courses in 2012 to five—reaching all Northeast SARE states, as well as providing greater post-training support for Short Course participants.

The second unanticipated challenge we have faced is a larger than expected interest in Short Course enrollment. This overwhelmingly positive response to our work has been the most validating endorsement of pollinator conservation possible. In our proposal, we budgeted for a maximum of 30 participants at each event (based upon previous experience outside the Northeast region). The actual number of registrants has far exceeded that anticipated target at every event, but we have been able to accommodate many more participants with funds leveraged from additional sources.

Collaborators: