Emerging Issues in Conservation: Pollinators and Conservation Laurie Davies Adams Asian Pacific Islander Organization Conference 2009

POLLINATION and CONSERVATION An Emerging Issue... A partnership between plants and animals... that has been in operation for 100 million years

An emerging leader... That has been a representing pollinator issues for over 13 years The world’s largest organization devoted to the health of pollinators

North American Pollinator Protection Campaign NAPPC

Some NAPPC Partners The Xerces Society

NAS NRC STUDY USDA ARS USGS

US Postal Service Pollination Stamps

What is pollination? Transfer of pollen from anther (male part) to stigma (female part) of a flowering plant.

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Kinds of pollination Self Wind Water Animal

Pollination by Wind Wheat Corn Rice Oats Barley

Pollination by Animals almonds broccoli peppers cashews cauliflower collards cucumbers eggplant gourds kale kholrabi lemon lettuce mustard muskmelon okra parsley parsnip pumpkins rutabaga squashes watermelons and more..

Vertebrate Pollinators

Vanilla and Bees

Chocolate and Flies

Palm Oil and Beetles

Poor Pollination

If We Lose the Pollinators, We Inherit their Work

Why is this important? 80% of food plant species worldwide depend on pollination by animals. Honeybees and other pollinators are responsible for up to $30 billion worth of products in the US annually, $250 billion worldwide.

EVERY THIRD BITE

Feeding the world’s human population Feeding and sheltering the world’s wildlife

Worldwide pollinators are showing signs of decline

1987 – 5-10% 2006 – 25% 2007 – 31% 2008 – 35% Colony Collapse Disorder US Annual Average Loss

Causes: A combination of stresses Invasive species Loss of habitat Pesticides and herbicides Disease Nutritional deficiencies

Not Just Honey Bees Bumble Bees Bats Flies Butterflies Unknown

NAPPC Strategy All Species Science-Based All of North America All Stakeholders –Government –NGO –Science and Academia –Private Industry –Agriculture

Variety of Perspectives Agriculture Education Conservation Research Policy

Pollinator Protection is a Unique Issue That Unifies

P2’s Strategic Decision to ‘Pollinate’ Existing Programs Instead of Advocating New Programs

Protecting and Enhancing Funding for USDA Conservation Programs

Farm Bill 2008 First Time in History Conservation and Research Titles Native and Managed Pollinators Urges Secretary to use ALL conservation programs for pollinators

Creates New Constituencies Advocating for Funding Native Pollinator Advocates Honey Bee Industry Grassroots “Pollinator Action Team” Despite some mandatory funding – conservation has frequently been raided –Group Letters –Members of Congress

All USDA Conservation Programs Can Be ‘Pollinated’ Conservation Innovation Grants Environmental Quality Incentives Program Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Wetlands Reserve Program

Grassland Reserve Program Conservation of Private Grazing Land and Grazing Land Conservation Initiative Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative Grassroots Source Water Protection Program

Emergency Landscape Protection Program Natural Resources Inventory and Conservation Effects Assessment Project Environmental Services Market Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program Conservation Stewardship Program Conservation Reserve Program

Each USDA Program has OTHER Primary Missions Practices that benefit native and managed pollinators can be incorporated into program implementation –Without interfering with the primary objectives –Likely strengthening of the conservation value of each program

Securing Funding for USDA Research for Native and Managed Pollinator Health and Conservation

We are asking others to help with Pollinator Conservation

Realizing the Potential of Farm Bill Pollinator Conservation Provisions

P2 is committed to being a resource and partner to NRCS Ecoregional Guides Montana CIG National CIG

Emerging Issues Affecting Pollinator Conservation –Bioenergy Production –Climate Change –Reduced CRP acreage, sodbuster

Pollinator Policy Initiatives at State/Local Levels

What Anyone Do as Pollinator Conservation Advocate Pollinate programs Take ideas and run with them Ask for the tools you need Experience pollinators in your habitat Take advantage of National Pollinator Week

June

National Pollinator Week June 21-27, 2010 Proclamation by US Sec. of Agriculture And US Senate

AGREEMENTS - MOU’s 1.5 Billion Acres

IABIN PTN Pollinator DATA pollinators.iabin.net

NACD - NAPPC Farmer Rancher Award Sept. 18 DEADLINE

Online Eco-regional Planting Guides FREE Zip Code Locator

Animal pollination is vital for agriculture, gardens, and ecosystems.

Thank you for your help for and support of pollinators