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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 30, 2020)
BUSINESS/AGRICULTURE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A7 Native bees in Eastern Oregon face climate threats Climate By ALEX CASTLE STAFF WRITER Experts believe roughly 75% of fl owering plants and 35% of crops, amounting to $3 billion worth of production, rely on the presence of bees to pollinate them each year. In Oregon, much of that work is done by more than 625 native bee species that equally rely on the surrounding ecosystem and their interactions with it to survive. Those bee species, including those native to Eastern Oregon, could face a litany of challenges brought by a changing climate. Those challenges were the topic of a virtual presentation deliv- ered by Sandy DeBano, an associ- ate professor in Oregon State Uni- versity’s Department of Fish and Wildlife, during the Eastern Ore- gon Climate Change Coalition’s monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22. DeBano, who is stationed at the OSU Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Hermis- ton, highlighted the potential dan- ger of warming temperatures in the region resulting in “range com- Changed pression” for bee species in East- ern Oregon. “The hypothesis is that species that are adjusted to cooler con- ditions are going to move from lower latitudes and elevations to higher ones as the climate warms,” DeBano said. While a lack of regional data doesn’t allow for defi nitive con- clusions on how increased tem- peratures will impact regional bee populations, DeBano said, prelim- inary data alludes to the dangers they face. At three separate locations — the Boardman Grasslands, Zum- walt Prairie in Wallowa County Contributed photo by Scott Mitchell A bee lands on the blossoms of a hawthorn tree in Eastern Oregon. and the Starkey Experimental For- est — student researchers docu- mented a variance of native bum- ble bee species that aligns with the difference in the average tempera- tures in July at each location. This data suggests that as tem- peratures rise in the region, the variance and quantity of bumble bee species may decline. “Certainly other factors are con- tributing to bumble bee species richness, but a lot of these papers are consistently fi nding that some aspect of temperature is consis- tently playing a major role in deter- mining or infl uencing bumble spe- cies richness,” DeBano said. The potential for earlier sum- mers may also disrupt the phenol- ogy of bees and plants in Eastern Oregon, DeBano said, which refers to the cycles of plants’ fl owering times and bee activity to pollinate them. “The result might be less food for bees and fewer plants being pollinated,” she said. Debano also noted concerns that perennial streams in the region, which fl ow throughout the year, will become more intermittent and negatively impact resources that bees need for food. Other risks brought by climate change include exacerbated wild- fi res, which can kill native bees and disrupt their habitats in Eastern Oregon. These impacts and infl u- ences are still being researched and evaluated, DeBano said. “The long-term effects are diffi - cult to predict and are really depen- dent on the system,” she said. But DeBano also highlighted some actions that individuals can take to address the potential dan- gers of climate change on bee pop- ulations, particularly by using pes- ticides responsibly. “We can conserve habitat where native bees are, we can enhance existing habitat, we can increase habitat, and I think really import- ant is that we can reduce stress- ors,” she said. Umatilla Electric Cooperative goes independent SAIF plans online ag safety sessions By JADE MCDOWELL NEWS EDITOR SAIF’s preparation for its 2020-21 agricultural safety seminars has been more challenging than in years past. SAIF has provided farm safety seminars for more than 20 years but this year, due to the COVID-19 pan- demic, is unable to offer in-person fall sessions. Instead, SAIF will host two separate two-hour webi- nars on Oct. 28 and 29 that between them cover the four hours of content normally provided in a live session. Attendees need not be insured by SAIF to attend the free training, which is geared toward owners, operators, supervisors and foremen of agricultural operations. Each year SAIF deter- mines the seminar topics based on what is happening After 45 years with PNGC Power, Umatilla Electric Cooperative is strik- ing out on its own for power purchases. UEC announced on Mon- day, Sept. 28, that it would be “amicably” parting ways with PNGC Power. The Hermiston-based coopera- tive was one of the found- ing members of the larger cooperative, then known as Pacifi c Northwest Generat- ing Cooperative, in 1975. PNGC is made up of 15 — now 14 — utilities across seven states, allowing those utilities to use their com- bined clout to better bar- gain for wholesale power, equipment and new technol- ogy. UEC’s decision to leave means that it will be pur- chasing power directly from Bonneville Power Admin- istration and other sources rather than being part of a collective purchase through PNGC Power. Robert Echenrode, UEC general manager, said UEC’s rapid growth has made it by far the largest of the cooperatives involved in PNGC, and has in some cases pushed it up into dif- ferent regulatory categories. That has complicated things for PNGC, and sometimes meant that UEC is look- ing for different things than HH fi le photo Electrical equipment at a substation near the Umatilla Electric Cooperative offi ce on West Elm Avenue helps supply power to Umatilla Electric and Hermiston Energy Service. other cooperatives. “Size isn’t everything, but our needs were different than other cooperatives,” he said. Echenrode said UEC was also looking at moving to more renewable energy on a quicker time frame than some other cooperatives, located in states that didn’t necessarily have the same pressures to do so. Those factors over time caused UEC to begin discus- sions with PNGC about pos- sibly leaving when PNGC’s fi scal year ended at the end of September. Echenrode said the past 18 months have involved careful conversa- tions with the two organi- zations, along with Bonne- ville Power Administration and other potential suppli- ers, to make sure the move didn’t hurt PNGC or UEC customers. “We did not want to cause fi nancial hardship to the group or any members of the group,” he said. He said while UEC’s cus- tomers shouldn’t notice any difference after the change, on UEC’s end it will allow for more fl exibility and a more tailored strategy for purchasing power. Roger Gray, CEO of PNGC Power, said in a state- ment that all parties have been working for a smooth transition. “While it is always dis- appointing to lose a mem- ber, I think early termina- tion is fair to all concerned,” he said. “PNGC has valued UEC as a member and they leave PNGC in good stand- ing. I wish the UEC organi- zation and team all the best in their new journey.” By BREEN WIEGAND FOR EO MEDIA GROUP SAIF online safety training When: Oct. 28 and 29 Cost: Free Register: Online at saif.com/agseminars or by calling 800- 285-8525 in the industry. This year, the sessions are: • Emergency fi rst aid on the farm. • Ag hacks and other use- ful tools and innovations. • Making the most of safety committee meetings. • Choosing the right per- sonal protective equipment. In the past SAIF has offered both online and in-person training. “Our big focus right now is on making sure we are meeting people where they are with the pandemic and wildfi res by provid- ing timely information to help keep them and their employees safe,” said Lyn Zielinksi-Mills, SAIF mar- keting manager. “This includes regular updates on our coronavirus safety page and increasing the number of online trainings we’re offering, both in English and in Spanish.” Though overall claims are down compared to last year, the state-chartered workers’ compensation company said all types of claims and injuries caused by existing or known haz- ards remain prevalent. Small agricultural employers who attend all four hours of the webinars will meet one of the four requirements that exempt small ag operations from random OSHA inspections. “We, as small business owners make adjustments daily to serve our customers during this pandemic. Wearing our masks is a small requirement to get us through these unprecedented times” PAULETTE DUFLOTH THE BRIDGE BISTRO & BREWS Farm fair to go virtual this year The Hermiston 2020 Farm Fair will take place Dec. 2-4 in a digital format, according to the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce. The farm fair is hosted each fall by the chamber and the Hermiston Agricul- tural Research and Exten- sion Center, but the chamber announced that it will not participate in the 2020 fair in order to focus on serving its member businesses who have been facing “unfore- seen challenges” in 2020. According to the news release, HAREC will host virtual training sessions on Dec. 2-4 on subjects ranging from soil health to modern irrigation technology. CCE and pesticides credits will be available. There will not be a trade show at Eastern Ore- gon Trade and Event Center as in years past. JOB ANNOUNCEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WALLOWA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPLICATIONS DUE: September 28, 2020 at 5pm at Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce Office COMPENSATION: Range $42,000 - $52,000 POSITION TITLE: Executive Director STATUS: Full Time and reside in Wallowa County COMPENSATION: Salary Range $42,000 - $52,000 BENEFITS: Vacation, Holiday, Sick Leave, and Simple IRA SCOPE: The Executive Director is the face of the Chamber and is responsible for implementing the mission and work plan of the organi- zation. This individual provides leadership within the Chamber and the community, helping create a favorable “business and living” environment in Wallowa County. ACCOUNTABILITY: The Director is responsible to the Board of Directors and reports directly to the President. APPLY BY RESUME: Please include a letter of introduction and resume. Resume is to include contact infor- mation, education, work history (including starting and ending dates), and three references (2 professional and 1 personal). Send resumes to: Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce PO Box 427, Ste B, Enterprise Oregon 97828 Email: info@wallowacounty.org, 541 426-4622 It’s a Way of Living! The Wallowa County Chamber Board of Directors is looking for a special in- dividual to fill this unique opportunity. Desired professional attributes include but are not limited to: GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS • Dynamic approach to creativity, ini- tiative, collaboration, and leadership. • Enthusiasm to effectively work in a community and regional partnerships. • Exceptional customer service skills. OVERALL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES •Strong leadership and organizational skills. • Strong verbal and written communi- cations skills. • Knowledge of financial processes used in non-profit organizations. • Skilled with various computer programs. • Strong marketing and promotional skills. QUALIFICATIONS College degree in business administra- tion, marketing, planning and/or other related field, or equivalent experience. • Wear a mask in public • Avoid indoor gatherings • Stay 6 feet away from others • Wash your hands frequently Help Reopen Umatilla County Wearing a mask saves jobs and saves lives
