Cover crops Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Snags Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Excavated soil Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Gardens Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Riparian buffers Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Fallow and unproductive land Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Crops Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches

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

TAXAAPRILMAYJUNEJULYAUGSEPOCT Colletes (inaequalis, validis) Andrena Agochlora pura Agochlorella striata Halictus (females) Lasioglossum (females) Osmia Bombus © Data from Steve Javorek, Agriculture Canada Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches Select plants that provide forage to support bees before and after crop bloom. Example: flight periods of native bees in relation to blueberry bloom.

Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches 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 Farming Practices Influence Wild Pollinator Populations on Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3): 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 (503)

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 (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