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