Hello Pollinator Friends!

We hope you are all doing well, and enjoying these winter months! To get you started thinking about spring, we'd like to highlight some helpful pollinator resources and some pollinator-related events.

Resources

Since many of you are in the process of planning restoration projects for the coming season, you may be interested in this new Xerces document focused on Wildflower Establishment using Organic Site Prep Methods. These guidelines benefited greatly from the field trials that were completed on many of our Midwest farms. We hope this document is useful and timely. 

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Xerces has also recently released an updated report on the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on bees. This link has the full report, as well as an executive summary and other resources.


Events
 
Best Practices for Pollinators in the Real World: Summit for MN counties, municipalities, leaders
March 9, 8:00 AM - Noon
Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stasson Lane, West St. Paul

Governor Dayton’s 2016 Executive Order to restore pollinator health will affect local, county and state land management practices. This summit will provide resources and innovative ideas for leaders in developing best practices. Xerces Society’s Sarah Foltz Jordan will be presenting on the resource concerns of Minnesota pollinators, including a spotlight on two at-risk species, the rusty patched bumble bee and monarch. Other talks will focus on pesticide impacts, restoration strategies, integrated pest management, invasive weed control, ecological function of native plants, and more. Click here for more details and to register. This workshop is filling up fast!


Minnesota Environmental Congress
February 3, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Continuing Education and Conference Center
University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus - 890 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, 55108

This day-long event will include sessions on Minnesota’s toughest environmental issues—including pollinator health. Come make your voice heard! Click here for more details and to register. There is a waiting list for this free event.



Wild Ones Annual Conference: Designing with Nature
February 18, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Anderson Student Center - University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus

This day-long conference includes a keynote by Doug Tallamy, entomologist and author of Bringing Nature Home. Stop by the Xerces booth for new resources on native nectar plants for monarchs and other guidance. Click here for more details and to register.


Minnesota Bee Symposium
February 25
Environmental Institute at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Cloquet, MN

This symposium is mostly focused on honey bee keeping; join Pamela Herou of Xerces to learn about the diversity of native bees in Minnesota, their role in pollination, and how to support them in our landscapes. Registration details coming soon.

 
The Buzz on Bees (and other Pollinators): A Panel of Local Experts
March 2, 6:00 - 7:30 PM 
Wedge Table, 2412 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis

Join Xerces’ Sarah Foltz Jordan and other local pollinator experts to hear more about issues affecting our local pollinators and ways you can get engaged to help them.  Click here for more details and to register.

Pine County Master Gardeners Horticulture Day
Saturday, March 25, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pine City High School
Xerces Society’s Pamela Herou will be leading a break-out session on our local native bees and their habitat needs. Click here for more details and to register.

Advance Registration Tickets $21 or $25 after March 21 or day of event