Creating Pollinator Habitat with Farm Bill Conservation Programs

Описание: Connecting Communities: Walks & Talks—Operation Pollination, a Freedom's Way National Heritage Area program

Presented by Kelly Gill, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Xerces Society and Partner Biologist with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Pollinators and other beneficial insects are experiencing drastic and widespread declines. The number of species documented as threatened or endangered continues to grow making pollinator conservation a national priority. Producers and forest landowners in New England can play an important role in protecting pollinators and beneficial insects, and the services they provide to our working lands, natural areas, and communities.

Kelly shares how you can support pollinators on farms, grazing lands, forests, gardens, local landscapes by enhancing habitat, reducing pesticide risk, and improving agricultural biodiversity and USDA-NRCS programs that offer technical and financial assistance for implementing conservation practices for pollinators and other natural resources.

Topics covered in Kelly’s talk include:
• Overview of pollinator biology and habitat needs • Planning, designing, and creating pollinator habitat • Evaluating site characteristics and existing habitat features • Protecting pollinators from pesticide exposure and habitat contamination • Examples of habitat practices including wildflower meadows, flowering hedgerows, riparian buffers, field and forest borders, insectary strips, and gardens. • Reducing harm from land management activities • USDA-NRCS technical and financial assistance programs and practices for pollinators • Other opportunities to get involved • Helpful resources and tools pollinator conservation in your region

===
Learn more about Freedom's Way National Heritage Area at freedomsway.org

Learn more about the Xerces Society at xerces.org

Learn more about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/