Large Scale Pollinator Habitat Preparation, Establishment, Management, And Benefits Renee K. Buck Farmbill Wildlife Biologist Pheasants Forever, & Quail Forever

Pollinators 75% =240,000 plants rely on pollinators. Essential to human health, global food webs and protection of biodiversity.

Planning Considerations Diversity of Plants=Diversity of wildlife & insects Bloom times= Early, Mid, Late Natives= more nectar & pollen Specific Host Plants, Monarch + Milkweeds

Size + Shape + Color = Diversity

Other Ideas Trees and Shrubs Natives: host plants, nectar & pollen, nesting, shelter and hibernation.

Other Ideas Brush piles, insect hotels, down trees structures, snags. Nesting, Shelter & Hibernation.

Site Preparation MOST important step! GOAL=‘Clean’, prepped seed bed!

Site Preparation Cropland Recommended Site Prep Soybeans is the easiest! Recommended Site Prep After beans are harvested, 1 herbicide treatment, as needed. After corn is harvested, light disc, 1 herbicide treatment. After Wheat, double crop Soybeans, to clean seed bed.

Site Preparation Turf Lawn Recommended Site prep This will take some work. Recommended Site prep At least 2 herbicide treatments, and possibly tillage Cool season turf grasses will outcompete and crowd out natives.

Site Preparation Hay/Pasture Lands Recommended Site prep. This may take the most work! Is there persistent invasive shrubs & weeds? Consider Tillage! Recommended Site prep. Remove and treat any existing invasive shrubs. At least 2 herbicide treatments and tillage. May consider planting Soybeans for a year?

Establishment-When? Spring vs. Fall/Winter Seeding Dormant seeding is needed for some species. Cold-moist Stratification=30, 60, 90, 120 days Some species have a dormancy phase that needs broken by winter conditions. Weather Spring seeding dates: NRCS Recommend April 1st-June 30th Dormant Seeding: weather dependent, NRCS: Nov 1-Feb 15th.

Establishment- How? Equipment= Drill vs. Broadcast Habitat contractors, equipment rental

Establishment- What? Seed Mixes Focus on Natives Addition of some non-native species. Legumes: clovers, alfalfa, etc. Annuals: cosmos, zinnia, alyssum Avoid Invasive Species ODNR Ohio Division of Agriculture (ODA) NRCS/USDA OSU Extension

Establishment- 1st Year Mowing Reduce weed competition Allow new seedlings to access light, water, & nutrients. Mow between 10-12” tall, any shorter could damage plants. Avoid primary nesting season Mar 1st-July 15th. Cautious of Monarchs= Arrive in Ohio late July-Aug Lay eggs on Milkweed Migration in Sept.

Establishment Patience & Persistence Weed Control Spot Mow Spot Herbicide Hand Pull Some Native species grow slow, may take 2-3 years to flower.

Management- Goals Control Natural Succession Maintain some bare ground Invading shrubs & trees. Canada Goldenrod reduction. Maintain some bare ground Native bees need access to the soil. Soil disturbance Thatch reduction Maintain Diversity Interseed wildflowers Add wildflower plugs of unique species.

Management-Timing Avoid Primary nesting season: Mar 1st-July 15th Monarch reproduction: August-Sept. Monarch migration: August-Oct. Leave standing in the fall Winter cover & food

Management-Practices Mowing Simulates Grazing, controls weeds & trees/shrubs Herbicide Controls weeds, treed/shrubs Prescribed Fire Removes thatch, control invasives, recycles nutrients Interseeding/adding Plugs Renews diversity, adds new species. Disking Soil disturbance

Management-Considerations Habitat Management involves Art and Science, have some creativity and don’t be afraid to try things! Every site is different! Never preform mngt on entire area Leave refuge

Benefits to Wildlife Great Pollinator Habitat = Great Wildlife Habitat Food= Seeds, insects, small mammals, etc. Shelter= nesting, brood rearing, escape and winter cover.

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) One of the largest and most successful conservation programs Singed into law 1985 Voluntary Farmers/landowners remove land from production and establish practices to provide land cover Water quality, prevent erosion, provide wildlife habitat. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administers contract, & payments Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) & Pheasants Forever (PF) Provide technical assistance conservation planning.

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance CRP Eligibility Own land for 1 year. Have cropping history for min. 4 years between 2008- 2013 Participants 10-15 year contract Receive and annual rental payment, based on soil types. Cost Share on establishment SIP: Signing incentive payment, certain practices PIP: Performance Incentive Payment, certain practices. MCM: Mid-contract Management.

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance CRP Pollinator Practice CP42 Pollinator Habitat 10 yr contract 50% cost-share SIP MCM Standards ≤25% Native Grasses Min. species of wildflowers, 3 in each bloom period. Min. 0.5 acres Min. 20 feet wide.

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Voluntary Financial & technical assistance for Establishment Agricultural & non-industrial forestland Competitive Several different funding categories Cropland, Forestry, Pasture, Livestock, Wildlife, etc. NRCS Administers contracts, payment, technical assistance, & planning.

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance EQIP Pollinator Habitat Something in every category that could provide for pollinators Cons. Cover, field border, filter strip, riparian buffer, tree & shrub planting, windbreak/shelterbelt, wetlands, etc. Specific for Pollinators Wildlife Honey Bee Pollinator Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project Contact NRCS staff for more details! Jeff Barnes, District Conservationist Karen McAllister, Resource Conservationist

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Working lands Goal: build on current conservation practices & strengthen the operation. Enhancements to current conservation. Address a resource concern. NRCS Administers contracts, payment, technical assistance, & planning. 5-year contract

Farm Bill Programs & Technical Assistance Your CSP Corn Cotton Crops Dairy Forestry Livestock Organics Pork Poultry Rice Soil Health Sorghum Soybeans Wheat Wildlife CSP Pollinator Habitat Build a plan to includes practices that benefit pollinators. Contact NRCS Staff for more info!

Other options/resources Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (USFWS) Cooperative conservation program Habitat restoration projects on Private lands Conservation & Management of the Federal Trust Species: migratory birds, T & E species, etc. Technical & financial assistance. Contact Donnie Knight for more info (614) 747-0256, Donald_knight@fws.gov Local PF/QF Chapters, NWTF Chapters OPHI: Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative

Questions? Contact me! rbuck@pheasantsforever.org 937-578-8264 Preble SWCD