Western Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Western Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Summary

The Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course is a full day Professional Development Program 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 Western SARE states except California and Oregon (where we have already conducted similar trainings), with collaboration by multiple partner organizations, including academic institutions, Cooperative Extension, the NRCS, and others.

This Short Course is designed in response to the highly-publicized loss of pollinators resulting from habitat loss, pesticide use, and other factors, and it will support greater crop security for producers of bee pollinated crops, such as fruits, vegetables, oilseeds and forage seed crops.

In response to those declines, the current Farm Bill offers support for the creation and protection of wildflower plantings and pollinator nest sites through programs administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The knowledge necessary to implement those programs, however, has not yet been fully developed at the field office level. By providing training to NRCS staff and other farm educators, such as Cooperative Extension personnel, state departments of agriculture and natural resources, crop consultants, and others, we are filling that void.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course will train more than 200 farmer educators and conservation planners in 11 states in adapting farm practices for pollinator conservation on 20,000 acres of land and to assist farmers with enrollment in NRCS administered conservation programs.

Accomplishments/Milestones

During the reporting period, we conducted 3 Short Courses in 3 states that were attended by 112 participants. Using leveraged funds from the NRCS West National Technology Support Center, we held three additional Short Courses in the Western SARE region that were attended by 114 participants. The primary audiences at 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 include:

Arizona
On April 19, 2012, we conducted a Short Course at Tumamoc: People and Habitats Research Center at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. We targeted the NRCS staff in AZ, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

Thirty-eight people were in attendance, including four NRCS and Conservation District Staff from AZ. Other participants included NRCS, Conservation Districts, Cooperative Extension, Farmers, University researchers, local nonprofits, and various conservation agency staff.

Guest speakers included Dr. Gary Nabhan, internationally recognized nature writer and research scientist at Tumamoc Hill, and Bruce Munda and Stuart Tuttle from the NRCS, who spoke about USDA programs available to farmers for pollinator conservation.

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.

Montana
On June 12, 2012, we conducted a Short Course at the USDA NRCS Bridger Plant Materials Center in Bridger, Montana. We targeted the NRCS staff in MT, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

At the course, forty-one people were in attendance, including thirty NRCS staff and two Conservation District Staff from MT. Other participants included Cooperative Extension, farmers, university researchers, local nonprofits, and conservation agency staff.

Pete Husby, State Biologist with the NRCS in Montana, was the guest speaker. Pete spoke about USDA programs available to farmers for pollinator conservation as well as conserving pollinators in rangelands.

Wyoming
On July 17, 2012, we conducted a Short Course at the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. We targeted the NRCS staff in WY and CO, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training. Thirty-three people attended.

Guest speakers included Mary Shrader, Resource Conservationist and Farm Bill Specialist with the NRCS, who spoke about USDA programs available to farmers for pollinator conservation. Brenna Wanous and Dorothy Tuthill with the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center also spoke about their work at the Center.

Additional Short Courses Made Possible with Leveraged Funds
Using leveraged funds to support this project, we held three additional Short Courses in the Western SARE region that were attended by 114 people. Support for these events was made possible by the NRCS West National Technology Support Center (in Portland, OR), which has worked to encourage NRCS attendance at the SARE-sponsored Short Courses. This leveraged support (which is anticipated for 2013) represents a major expansion of SARE’s original investment and has significantly increased our capacity to reach many more Western SARE stakeholders. The first of these courses was held in Montana and attended by 48 people. The second course was held in Oregon and attended by 43 people. The third course was held in Washington and was attended by 23 people.

Montana
On June 14, 2012 we conducted a second Short Course in Montana at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Great Falls. We targeted the NRCS staff in MT, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

At the course, forty-eight people were in attendance, including twenty-eight NRCS staff and five staff from the Montana Department of Agriculture. Other participants included Cooperative Extension, farmers, university researchers, local nonprofits, and conservation agency staff.

Pete Husby, State Biologist with the NRCS in Montana, was the guest speaker. Pete spoke about USDA programs available to farmers for pollinator conservation as well as conserving pollinators in rangelands.

Oregon
On August 30, 2012, we conducted a Short Course for forty-three people at Clean Water Services Administrative Building in Hillsboro, Oregon. We targeted the NRCS staff in OR, as well as conservation partners at the Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers for this training.

As part of this Short Course, we conducted an in-depth field-based habitat assessment training, a tour of a local native plant restoration project, a pollinator identification session, and lead a discussion of the local Conservation District’s special Enhanced CREP farm conservation easement program.

Washington
On November 8, 2012, we conducted a Short Course at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, WA. The course was conducted a day prior to the Tilth Producers of Washington Conference for participants of the conference, as well as for local NRCS, Soil and Water Conservation Service, Cooperative Extension, local nonprofits, and farmers. Twenty-three people attended.

• Xerces Short Course Agenda
• Xerces Staff and Short Course participants at OR training
• Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program Director, at AZ Short Course
• OR Short Course

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

We continue to experience great success with our existing outreach efforts and saw a rapidly rising interest in the conservation of native pollinators. We believe the reason for this interest is both due to the ongoing plight of managed and native pollinators, as well as the fact that bee conservation provides an accessible framework for achieving other conservation objectives. More than 390 people participated in the Short Course in 2011—significantly more than our original target of 150 participants for the year. In 2012, 112 participated in the course and an additional 114 participated using leveraged funds (for a total of 226 Western SARE Short Course participants), again exceeding our original target.

Through this project, we continue to impact the way that farm educators incorporate pollinator conservation into their work. Specifically, based upon post event questionnaires for 2012, 97% of respondents said that the Short Course changed how they intended to advise farmers on management practices to support pollinators. Among those reporting, 78% plan on recommending pesticide reduction or pesticide mitigation strategies to the farmers they work with. Most of those same educators (74%) reported that they will work with farmers to identify tillage reduction strategies to protect ground-nesting bees and recommend the conservation of other nesting habitat on farms. Finally, 98% of farm educators will recommend supplementing non-crop areas with native pollen and nectar resources to support pollinators and other beneficial insects.

While the Short Course specifically targets farm educators and farm agency staff, a number of farmers attended each event. Among them, 92% of those reporting said that attending the Short Course changed how they would support pollinators on their farms. Of these, 94% reported that they will look for opportunities to supplement non-crop areas with additional pollen and nectar resources. Nineteen of the farmers who participated report that they will apply for financial and technical support in creating more pollinator habitat through USDA conservation programs.

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

“Yes (expectations fulfilled) – lots of great materials in only one day. Info-packed and fun.”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Arizona

“New and reinforced information about native bees – renewed passion. Yes, (expectations) fulfilled. Mace did a great job – he is an expert in his field.”
– Educator, Arizona

“I expected to learn more about bees and attracting them. Expectations met. Really enjoyed it!”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Arizona

“High expectations to help implement pollinator conservation… yes, (expectations) fulfilled!”
– Educator/Conservationist, Arizona

“I expected to learn quite a bit about Native pollinators, which I did and much more!”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Arizona

“More than fulfilled – Abundance of material expertly presented. Thank you.”
– Agricultural Support Staff/Farmer, Arizona

“I wanted to have a better feel for incorporating pollinators in planning and it was fulfilled.”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Bridger, Montana

“Learn more about how to incorporate pollinator considerations to conservation planning; Yes – I feel more informed about pollinators, which will help in talking to producers. Great job!”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Bridger, Montana

“I was not sure what to expect but was very happy with everything that I learned. Jennifer is incredibly knowledgeable and just as good at teaching to others.”
– NRCS, Bridger, Montana

“To have a better understanding of pollinators and what can be done to promote then. Absolutely (expectations fulfilled).”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Bridger, Montana

“Good workshop, could have benefited from another day with more field time and real life examples of pollinator habitat/establishment.”
– Agricultural Support Staff/Biologist/Entomologist, Great Falls, Montana

“Needed to know how to advise farmers for the benefit of both positive effects /facts to “sell” pollinator conservation. Yes, I’m better equipped.”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Great Falls, Montana

“Yes (expectations fulfilled). Excellent workshop. I am so glad I came!”
– Forest Service Range Specialist, Great Falls, Montana

“Pollinator friendly plant species recommendations. Excellent workshop. Far exceeded my expectations – thank you.”
– NRCS, Great Falls, Montana

“This was a really good short course. The presenter (Jennifer) did a really nice job. She covered a lot of material and kept it interesting.”
– USFS Botanist, Great Falls, Montana

“Yes, well organized; excellent colorful powerpoint presentation; appreciate the references and science – based recommendations and approaches.”
– USFS, Wyoming

“Vast amount of info on pollinators (bees) clearly & enthusiastically presented.”
– Conservation District Supervisor/Rancher, Wyoming

“The material was very accessible and made me feel like I could make a contribution to pollinator science and conservation.”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Wyoming

“Wanted to know what I and others can do on a regular basis to conserve pollinators. Absolutely (expectations fulfilled)!”
– Educator, Wyoming

“I expected to learn about pollinators and their conservation; those expectations were met & then some.”
– Botanical Garden Employee, Wyoming

“To learn more and refresh pollinator knowledge. Yes (expectations fulfilled), this was a great refresher and I learned some new information! I very much enjoyed this course.”
– Educator, Wyoming

“Learn about more ways to realistically implement native bee conservation on farm. Yes (expectations fulfilled).”
– Crop Consultant, Oregon

“My expectations were to become more aware of and informed on pollinator biology, habitat, and threats. My expectations were far exceeded!”
– Biologist/Entomologist, Oregon

“I hadn’t expected the practical and “share ready”-ness of the information. I was very satisfied and impressed with Eric’s experience & presentation of the information in a digestible & implementable way And the slides are fantastic. Very well done.”
– Non-profit Employee, Oregon

“Yes (expectations fulfilled): detailed at a practical, digestible level.”
– Volunteer, Oregon

“Expectations were high because of rumors of informative workshops presented by charismatic intelligent Xerces representatives. Expectations were fulfilled.”
– Farmer, Washington

“I learned more than I expected and got great take home resources.”
– Agricultural Support Staff, Washington

“(Expectations) Exceeded in every way.”
– Beekeeper/Agricultural Advisor, Washington

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’ve added additional courses to select states. With leveraged funding from the NRCS West National Technology Support Center, we were able to offer additional courses in Montana, Oregon, and Washington. We anticipate drawing on more of those leveraged funds to provide several additional Short Courses in the Western SARE region during 2013 in locations where demand continues to be high.

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 Western 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.

A third challenge we’re beginning to face is the ability to fit in all the relevant material into the agenda for a seven-hour course. New research and technical guidance relevant to pollinator conservation continues to evolve, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to fit all the content into the Short Course agenda. In post course evaluations, participants have requested an expansion of our current Short Course model to an in-depth, multi-day course that covers more detailed information on site preparation and habitat establishment as well as more in-depth training on pollinator identifications.

Collaborators: