Building a Pollinator Community - Wisconsin Land+Water · 2017-03-21 · Building a Pollinator...
Transcript of Building a Pollinator Community - Wisconsin Land+Water · 2017-03-21 · Building a Pollinator...
Building a Pollinator Community
Wisconsin Land & Water Annual Conference
March 15, 2017
Michele Sadauskas- ConservationistBaerbel Ehrig- Pollinator Coordinator
Oneida County Land & Water Conservation
Photo by John Severns
Introduction
• Who we are : Oneida County Land & Water Conservation Department
• Vision of former Oneida County Conservationist, Jean Hansen
• Partnership between Three Lakes & Oneida County
• Lumberjack Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D) Grant
$9,234 - with 80 hours for a Project Coordinator
Project Background
Reasons for the Serious
Decline of Pollinators:
• Habitat loss
• Disease
• Climate change
Native wildflowers
• Strengthen habitat for native pollinators
• Have recreational and aesthetic value
• Strengthen native ecosystem
Why Roadsides?
• Public exposure• Corridors for seed dispersal• Beautification
Building Pollinator Habitat
Four sites were selected representing three distinct habitats:
• Marsh Prairie
• Prairie
• Woodland Edge
Plant plugs vs. seeds:
• Although more expensive, plugs are second year plants!
• Quick establishment in beds = immediate gratification. (seeds take a few years)
• Plugs are better equipped for competition.
Species were chosen based on habitat type.
Three Lakes Winery Site
BEFORE
April, 2016
Three Lakes Winery Site
AFTER
October, 2016
Educational Outreach
• Educational sign at each site
• Public presentations
• Workshop/Field Visit
• General public and local high school involvement in planting and maintaining habitat
Pollinators in the Northwoods Workshop
Keynote speakers :
• * Dr. Christelle Guedot, UW Madison – Dept of Entomology
• * Patrick Goggin, UW Stevens Point, Lakes Specialist
* To view these presentations and learn more about our pollinator projects, visit: http://www.oclw.org/pollinator-project.html
Metrics of Success
Experts Say:
• Improving native pollinator habitat naturally leads to an increase in native pollinators.
• Due to restored native habitat, plots show an increase in native pollinator activity.
Our plots showed increased native pollinator activity!
• The presence of host plants is an important driver for butterfly colonization.
Our plots hosted caterpillars of the Monarch Butterfly!
Things We Learned Along the Way
• Initial coordinator hours projected - 80Needed 394.5 hours 400% increase
• Originally estimated volunteer hours - 100Received 236.75 hours > 100% increase
• Use power tools vs. manual in landscaping large areas.
• Large student groups need 2 project managers plus a teacher when working in the field.
• Discounts and donations from landscaping and gardening suppliers as well as general public are available.
Building a RegionalPollinator Community
(a vision for the future)
• SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)
Engage educators, farmers, and citizens
Provide education and tools to create and/or protect pollinator habitat
• Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund Grant - Proposed
• Regional corridor project
• Six county partners already on board
• Increase native seed supply
• Restore & enhance habitat
Thank You
Marathon CountyIron County Price County
Oneida County Land & Water Conservation
www.oclw.orgMichele Sadauskas- Conservationist
Baerbel Ehrig- Pollinator Coordinator
We need YOU!