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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 2018)
8 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 Pollinator from 1A “Oregon is not the Midwest; we grow over 200 different crops, leading to fairly hetero- geneous land use which encourages biodiversity,” Melathopoulos said. “However, it is true that polli- nators in general are facing pressures and the causes of these are associated with los- ing habitat. Habitat, of course, means having the right kinds of flowers blooming across the landscape at the time when a particular bee species is active. “In Oregon, many of these flowers are actually cultivated — think of blooming clover or radish fields.” He said that improper pesti- cide use applies “deadly pres- sure” to pollinator popula- tions. “This last pressure can real- ly be dealt with by provid- ing pesticide applicators with robust education,” Melathopoulos said. The widespread application of aerial pesticides is also cited by the USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a major con- tributing factor, across the country, in the overall decline of pollinators. In a report issued in January 2017, the EPA provided a com- prehensive assessment of the dozens of pesticides currently in use that endanger or kill pollinators many of which are applied repeatedly in a particu- lar area, making it impossible for the insects to recover. EPA’s policy recommenda- tions included in its report advise reducing aerial spray- ing, creating pollinator-friend- ly habitats and physically pro- tecting the actual insects. OSU has also initiated a pol- linator protection program for the state, in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry. A c c o r d i n g t o Melathopoulos, the program is designed to achieve positive results in the effort to save all types of pollinators. “OSU is working in partner- ship with them on an innova- tive, new state-wide strategy for pollinator health, the Oregon Bee Project,” Melathopoulos said. “We are criss-crossing the state, look- ing for innovative land man- agers who are already building pollinator habitat into their landscapes. We want others to learn from these innovators and to highlight their efforts.” Moreover, while there is general awareness of the agri- cultural importance of bees, there is less public understand- ing of the role other species play in the process of pollina- tion. Wasps and hornets are often considered dangerous and fre- quently killed on sight. This is unfortunate as these stinging insects contribute to the polli- nation of many plant species. Butterflies and moths, while often beautiful, also pollinate the flowers they visit during the day. Their beauty generally safeguards the insects from the lethal animosity that is direct- ed at hornets and wasps, but, again, pesticides kill millions of the insects each year. Flies also move genetic materials from male to female plants with little or no appreci- ation for the pollination they accomplish. These unpleasant creatures are often killed with- out any thought to the good they do in natural processes. Plants and flowers bloom at different times of the year and at differing times of the day, but some bloom exclusively at night. These plants still need to be cross-pollinated, and the dark and the colder environs where they habitate limit the creatures that can provide the needed genetic transfer. Bats are one of the few pol- linators that operate during the nighttime. Often, thousands of the mammals work in com- plete darkness, moving pollen from one plant to another. Butterflies are important pollinators in the Pacific Northwest and around the U.S. This specimen was busy working alongside Highway 101 last summer. MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS Bats are also the primary pollinator of a plant that has a worldwide following, the agave. Tequila is made from the agave and demand for the plant has soared over the past 10 years, affording a new level of protection for bats who pro- vide pollination. This is good news, as the value of the agave has led to a raised awareness about the role played by bats, dramati- cally reducing the poisoning and shooting that has often occurred in the forests and caves where bats live. In addition, the federal gov- ernment has recognized that the serious dangers facing pol- linators must be addressed. Thus began the Conservation Reserve Program. In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from production and grow plant species that will improve environmental factors that impact pollinators. In a statement released in May 2016, then Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack sum- Find your “Just Right” Furniture, Appliance and Bed at Roby’s merized the success the pro- gram has achieved. “The Conservation Res- earch Program provides nearly $2 billion annually to land owners, dollars that make their way into local economies to support small businesses and create jobs. When these direct benefits are taken together with the resulting economic activities, the benefits related to the program are estimated at $3.1 billion annually,” Vilsack said. The conservation program does have some limitations, as there is a cap of 24 million acres set aside annually, limit- ing the number of farmers that can participate in the program. And while there are federal and state programs intended to address the many issues impacting pollinators, Anne Schatz, a member of the Central Coast Beekeepers Association, suggests the pub- lic can do a few simple things to assist in the effort to save these important creatures. “Avoid using pesticides in your landscape, particularly for ornamental plants. For every problem, there are options and many of those options don't require chemi- cals,” Schatz said. “If you need a plant for a particular function, such as shade, wind- break, erosion control, lawn alternative, etc., choose a plant that supports pollinators.” Schatz directed people to the Central Coast Beekeepers website, where there is an extensive list of common land- scape plants and how they rate on nectar and pollen. “The list is limited to only good to excellent sources, and the rating scheme lets you pick the best plants (for bees) that meet your needs,” Schatz said. “This list is tailored to honey- bees, but will also support the majority of other pollinators.” She also suggested planting flowers in patches. Bees need a density of blooms to be attracted to plants, so Schatz recommend- ed a one-foot diameter patch, which is more attractive to many insects than something smaller. Shrubs and trees will also provide a density of blooms with a smaller foot- print. While the problems facing pollinators remain critical, it is encouraging to farmers and beekeepers to see the increas- ing awareness and willingness of people to actively partici- pate in solutions to ameliorate the problem. In an attempt to educate and assist in this important task, the Florence Garden Club has links to, and information from, numerous websites that can provide additional information to individuals interested in doing more to help preserve pollinators. BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of Western Lane County 1601 15th Street • Florence, OR 97439 541-902-0304 Great Futures Start Here Volunteer Florence Food Share provides food to those who are hungry in our community. If you have four hours a week available, we are in need of vol- unteers to staff our Front Desk and also act as Guides as clients walk through the pantry. Please call our volunteer coordinator, Sarah Lovejoy, @ 541-997-9110 (Monday – Friday, before noon) to learn more about volunteering. info@lorence- foodshare.org 2190 Spruce Street. Get involved Donate Do your part and Volunteers needed for new home construction, home repairs, general RIÀFHZRUNSXEOLFUHODWLRQVDQGSURJUDPDGPLQLVWUDWLRQ-RLQDQ RSHUDWLQJFRPPLWWHHDQGKHOS+DELWDWKHOSRWKHUV &DOORUHPDLOWRÁRUHQFHKDELWDW#JPDLOFRP 2IÀFHORFDWHGDW+:<)ORUHQFH ZZZIDFHERRNFRPUHVWRUHÁRUHQFH volunteer today to help support these local non-proft Assisting those in need in our Community. Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri 12:30 AM - 1:30 PM organizations in our community! HELPING HANDS COALITION New Life Lutheran Church, 2100 Spruce St, next to Foodshare, Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer Enter to win a Samsung Flat Screen TV. Have a freshly baked cookie! Memory Care Respite of Florence Your Memory Care Respite Center needs you! Seeking volunteers for our Coffee Club: Conversation & companionship in a caring setting while providing respite for caregivers. Contact us at memcarerespite@gmail.com Volunteer Get involved Donate Join the Peace Harbor Hospital Volunteers. <RXZLOOÀQGDQDUHDRILQWHUHVW in a caring organization. Peace Harbor Volunteers 400 9th Street, Florence, OR 97439 541-997-8412 ext. 2218 Do your part and volunteer today to help support these local Meals on Wheels are available to people over the age of 60 who cannot get out much due to illness or advanced age and who are not eating properly, regardless of income. Cafe 60 is available for those who prefer to make new friends in a dining room setting. 1570 Kingwood • PO Box 2313, Florence 541-997-5673 laneseniormeals.org Operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday non-proft organizations in our community! COME SEE OUR BOOTH AT THE HOME AND GARDEN SHOW! Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands!
