Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Kansas Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Kansas Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Thursday September 2, 2010

The 2008 Farm Bill makes pollinators and their habitat a conservation priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist. This training session provides an overview of pollinator-specific language within the Farm Bill, and how to translate that language into on-the-ground conservation.

This day-long Short Course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed agricultural landscapes.

Introductory topics include the basic principles of pollinator biology, the economics of insect pollination, recognizing native bee species, and assessment of pollinator habitat.

Advance modules will cover farm management practices for pollinator protection, the development of pollinator habitat enhancements, incorporating pollinator conservation into NRCS programs, selection of plants for pollinator enhancement sites, management of natural and urban landscapes, and the additional funding sources and technical support available to land managers.

Throughout the workshop these training modules are illustrated by real case studies of pollinator conservation efforts across the country.

The first 30 registrants will receive the Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Toolkit that includes published farm and habitat management guidelines, fact sheets and nest construction plans, relevant Extension and NRCS publications. Additional Toolkits will be available for purchase ($20.00).

Location: USDA NRCS Manhattan Plant Materials Center, 3800 S 20th St., Manhattan, KS 66502-9535.

Cost: Free (lunch not included).

For Non-NRCS Registrations: Please send an email to shortcourses@xerces.org and be sure to include the following information: your name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number.

For NRCS Registrations: Please contact Janelle L. Heiser at 785-823-4577 or janelle.heiser@ks.usda.gov

COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES
  • Awareness of various federal programs and funding available for pollinator conservation
  • Identify approaches to increase and enhance pollinator diversity on the land
  • Knowledge of the current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on pollinators
  • Ability to identify bees and distinguish them from other insects
  • Understand the economics of insect-pollinated crops, and the effects of pollinator decline
  • Knowledge of the 2008 Farm Bill pollinator conservation provisions and how to implement those provisions in programs such as WHIP, EQIP, and CSP
  • Ability to assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies
  • Ability to make recommendations to farmers and land managers that conserve pollinators (including subjects such as tillage, pesticide use, irrigation, burning, grazing, and cover cropping)
  • Ability to design and implement habitat improvements, such as native plant restoration and nest site enhancements
COURSE AGENDA
Module 1. Introduction
  • Pollination economics and the role of native bees in commercial crop production
  • Pollination biology
  • Colony Collapse Disorder and honey bee industry trends
Module 2. Basic bee biology
  • Bee identification
  • Identifying pollinator nest sites
Module 3. Bee-friendly farming
  • The role of farm habitat
  • Mitigating pesticide damage
  • Protecting ground-nesting bees in cultivated fields
Module 4. Open Laboratory
  • Field observation and land-use discussion (outdoors)
  • Examination of pinned specimens, artificial nests, and display materials
Module 5. Habitat restoration
  • Habitat design considerations
  • Plant selection and seed sources
  • Planting techniques for native wildflowers
  • Long-term habitat management
  • Artificial nest sites
Module 6. 2008 Farm Bill provisions
  • Using NRCS programs and practices for pollinator conservation
  • Conservation case studies
Module 7. Additional resources

Acknowledgements

These Pollinator Conservation Short Courses are supported by the supported by the Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Since 1988, SARE has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The SARE program is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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