Woodland Pollinators

[Peter Smallidge]

The 2020 webinar season started and ended with presentations about pollinators. 

I'll add to this blog over the next few days. Check back as I gather more information to share.

The February webinar was by Dr. Sheldon Owen of West Virginia University. The archive is linked here.

Habitat needs and management for the Monarch Butterfly

The monarch butterfly is one of the most iconic species in North America, and its annual migration cycle is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena in the world. However, during the past 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has declined by nearly 90% throughout much of its range. The primary factors in this decline are the losses of critical breeding habitat in North America and overwintering habitat in Mexico.  Monarch conservation success will only be achieved with an “all hands on deck” approach.  During this webinar we will discuss monarch biology, current population trends, and natural resource management actions that everyone can take to save this iconic species.

The December webinar was by Kristi Sullivan of Cornell University. The archive is linked here.  Webinar chat box is linked chat.woodland-pollinators.pdf, and that includes several suggestions from other participants.  Kristi's fact sheet on woodland pollinators is here. 

Pollinators in the Woods: Understanding and Creating Forest Pollinator Habitat

Native bees, butterflies, flies, and other insects pollinate many of our forest plants and make sure that species like red maple, tulip poplar, willows, hawthorns, and many of our spring and summer wildflowers, can produce fruits and successfully reproduce. Pollinators are also an important food resource for many forest organisms, like birds, amphibians, other insects, and some mammals. Healthy populations of pollinators in our forests also benefit plants in adjacent agriculture lands, and may increase crop yields. Join us to learn what you can do to enhance habitat for pollinators in your woods.