Current Events
11/7/2018 - Announcement
Pollinator and Habitat Workshop Draft Agenda for November 8th, 2018 at WVU Jacksons Mill
9:00 Registration and Refreshments
9:15 Welcome and Introductions - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension
9:30 Introduction to Creating Pollinator Habitat; Why Pollinators Matter and the 5 Steps to Successful Habitat Establishment - Susan Olcott, WV DNR
9:45 Laying the Groundwork: Understanding your Land and Setting Attainable Pollinator Goals that Suit your Situation - Sarah Owen, USDA NRCS, WV DNR
10:00 Competition Control and Site Prep: Promoting Native Forbs and Warm Season Grasses for Pollinator Habitats using Organic and Conventional Approaches - Ryan Ward, AllStar Ecology
10:30 Break
10:45 Selecting Appropriate Pollinator Plants and Seed Mixes for WV, and Seeding these on WV’s Steep Slopes - Robert Hoffman, Roundstone Native Seed, Upton KY
11:15 Maintaining your Pollinator Habitat in the Short and Long Term: What to Expect when you are Expecting (Pollinator version) - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension
11:30 Afternoon Workshop Overview of Site Prep Techniques and Field Treatments, with Insight on Successes and Failures from our Neighbors to the North - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension and Jose’ Taracido, California University of Pennsylvania’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Field Demonstrations: Please be prepared for the weather since afternoon events are outside
Demonstration Plots have been/are being established with a variety of organic and conventional Site-Prep treatments including: single, double and triple herbicide applications, controlled burns, tillage, mowing, and smother/cover cropping. These will be viewed and discussed, and techniques specific for native forbs will be explained. Experts and certified pesticide applicators will also be on hand with various sprayers to demonstrate effective calibration of this equipment.
No-Till Seed Drilling will be demonstrated. Two sizes of no-till drills will be on site; one that is pulled behind a tractor and is suited to medium-sized plots, one that is mounted on the front of a skid-steer for smaller plots and WV’s more challenging topography. Expert contractors will provide explanation of drill calibration for fluffy-seeded wildflowers, proven techniques to improve stand success, and long-term maintenance of wildflower meadows.
Rototilling and Broadcast Seeding with Cultipacking will be demonstrated. Expect discussions of carriers and broadcast techniques, DIY modifications to seeders that improve distribution of wildflower seeds, adequately preparing the site bed, and guaranteeing even seed mix distribution via broadcast patterns and accurate calibration of equipment.
Installing Habitats on Slopes with both a broadcast method and with a front-mounted skidsteer no-till drill will be demonstrated. Erosion control techniques, erosion-preventing plant selection, and stand maintenance will be discussed.
Techniques to Establish Pollinator Habitats in Wet Soils will be discussed and initiated, if time and weather allow. Seed mixes specific to wet WV soils, soil testing recommendations, and suggestions for how to keep equipment “un-stuck” will all be topics of discussion.
4:30 Demonstrations End and Meeting Adjourns
Vendor and Sponsor Booths will be positioned both in the morning and afternoon locations and will include representatives from heavy equipment rental companies, WV811, agricultural supply
companies, native seed vendors, seed drill manufacturers, Extension, USDA NRCS, WV DNR, Pollinator Conservation Organizations, Environmental Consulting Firms, etc. If you would like to purchase booth space or become a Workshop Sponsor, contact Sheldon Owen at 304-293-2990 or sheldon.owen@mail.wvu.edu .
Justification:
Participants in the WV Monarch Summit in February ’18 had expressed enthusiasm for creating pollinator habitat to help defer the listing of West Virginia’s state butterfly, the Monarch, on the Endangered Species List and to promote other native pollinators. Many, however, noted they were not sure how to effectively put pollinator habitat on the ground. This pollinator workshop is in answer to this need and is intended to spread awareness of and competency in pollinator habitat establishment.
Target Audience:
Oil and Gas, Coal, Transportation and Energy ROW interests, Environmental Consultants, Farmers, Landowners, Dept of Ag, NRCS, WV DNR, DEP, USFWS, USFS, State Parks, WVU, Extension, Other federal and state agencies, municipalities, and any others interested in creating habitat for monarchs and other pollinators on their property
Pollinator and Habitat Workshop Draft Agenda for November 8th, 2018 at WVU Jacksons Mill
9:00 Registration and Refreshments
9:15 Welcome and Introductions - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension
9:30 Introduction to Creating Pollinator Habitat; Why Pollinators Matter and the 5 Steps to Successful Habitat Establishment - Susan Olcott, WV DNR
9:45 Laying the Groundwork: Understanding your Land and Setting Attainable Pollinator Goals that Suit your Situation - Sarah Owen, USDA NRCS, WV DNR
10:00 Competition Control and Site Prep: Promoting Native Forbs and Warm Season Grasses for Pollinator Habitats using Organic and Conventional Approaches - Ryan Ward, AllStar Ecology
10:30 Break
10:45 Selecting Appropriate Pollinator Plants and Seed Mixes for WV, and Seeding these on WV’s Steep Slopes - Robert Hoffman, Roundstone Native Seed, Upton KY
11:15 Maintaining your Pollinator Habitat in the Short and Long Term: What to Expect when you are Expecting (Pollinator version) - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension
11:30 Afternoon Workshop Overview of Site Prep Techniques and Field Treatments, with Insight on Successes and Failures from our Neighbors to the North - Sheldon Owen, WVU Extension and Jose’ Taracido, California University of Pennsylvania’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Field Demonstrations: Please be prepared for the weather since afternoon events are outside
Demonstration Plots have been/are being established with a variety of organic and conventional Site-Prep treatments including: single, double and triple herbicide applications, controlled burns, tillage, mowing, and smother/cover cropping. These will be viewed and discussed, and techniques specific for native forbs will be explained. Experts and certified pesticide applicators will also be on hand with various sprayers to demonstrate effective calibration of this equipment.
No-Till Seed Drilling will be demonstrated. Two sizes of no-till drills will be on site; one that is pulled behind a tractor and is suited to medium-sized plots, one that is mounted on the front of a skid-steer for smaller plots and WV’s more challenging topography. Expert contractors will provide explanation of drill calibration for fluffy-seeded wildflowers, proven techniques to improve stand success, and long-term maintenance of wildflower meadows.
Rototilling and Broadcast Seeding with Cultipacking will be demonstrated. Expect discussions of carriers and broadcast techniques, DIY modifications to seeders that improve distribution of wildflower seeds, adequately preparing the site bed, and guaranteeing even seed mix distribution via broadcast patterns and accurate calibration of equipment.
Installing Habitats on Slopes with both a broadcast method and with a front-mounted skidsteer no-till drill will be demonstrated. Erosion control techniques, erosion-preventing plant selection, and stand maintenance will be discussed.
Techniques to Establish Pollinator Habitats in Wet Soils will be discussed and initiated, if time and weather allow. Seed mixes specific to wet WV soils, soil testing recommendations, and suggestions for how to keep equipment “un-stuck” will all be topics of discussion.
4:30 Demonstrations End and Meeting Adjourns
Vendor and Sponsor Booths will be positioned both in the morning and afternoon locations and will include representatives from heavy equipment rental companies, WV811, agricultural supply
companies, native seed vendors, seed drill manufacturers, Extension, USDA NRCS, WV DNR, Pollinator Conservation Organizations, Environmental Consulting Firms, etc. If you would like to purchase booth space or become a Workshop Sponsor, contact Sheldon Owen at 304-293-2990 or sheldon.owen@mail.wvu.edu .
Justification:
Participants in the WV Monarch Summit in February ’18 had expressed enthusiasm for creating pollinator habitat to help defer the listing of West Virginia’s state butterfly, the Monarch, on the Endangered Species List and to promote other native pollinators. Many, however, noted they were not sure how to effectively put pollinator habitat on the ground. This pollinator workshop is in answer to this need and is intended to spread awareness of and competency in pollinator habitat establishment.
Target Audience:
Oil and Gas, Coal, Transportation and Energy ROW interests, Environmental Consultants, Farmers, Landowners, Dept of Ag, NRCS, WV DNR, DEP, USFWS, USFS, State Parks, WVU, Extension, Other federal and state agencies, municipalities, and any others interested in creating habitat for monarchs and other pollinators on their property
10/5/2018 - Announcement
Pollinator and Habitat Workshop slated for November 8th, 2018 at WVU Jacksons Mill
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding a Pollinator Habitat Establishment Workshop at WVU Jackson’s Mill on Thursday November 8, 2018. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us at The Mill.
The workshop will include morning presentations on general pollinator habitat establishment, plant selection and seed mix development, effective approaches to site prep and seeding, and using traditional and organic herbicides to promote native forbs. Lunch will be served, then the afternoon will be spent in the field, with demonstrations of various site preparation approaches, seed drill calibration and operation, use of skid-steer-mounted seed drills, and successful broadcast seeding techniques. We will also address seeding on steep slopes and in rights-of-way, and will install pollinator habitats in these conditions since these present hurdles to many industries and individuals hoping to help pollinators in our Mountain(ous) State.
There will be display areas for vendors and agencies to provide information to attendees. Contact Sarah Owen (sarah.owen@wv.usda.gov) if you would like to reserve a table.
Additionally, we welcome event sponsors, so please contact Sheldon Owen (sheldon.owen@mail.wvu.edu) if you might be interested in supporting our event.
An agenda will be published shortly, as will a link for online registration.
We look forward to seeing you in November!
Pollinator and Habitat Workshop slated for November 8th, 2018 at WVU Jacksons Mill
We are pleased to announce that we will be holding a Pollinator Habitat Establishment Workshop at WVU Jackson’s Mill on Thursday November 8, 2018. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us at The Mill.
The workshop will include morning presentations on general pollinator habitat establishment, plant selection and seed mix development, effective approaches to site prep and seeding, and using traditional and organic herbicides to promote native forbs. Lunch will be served, then the afternoon will be spent in the field, with demonstrations of various site preparation approaches, seed drill calibration and operation, use of skid-steer-mounted seed drills, and successful broadcast seeding techniques. We will also address seeding on steep slopes and in rights-of-way, and will install pollinator habitats in these conditions since these present hurdles to many industries and individuals hoping to help pollinators in our Mountain(ous) State.
There will be display areas for vendors and agencies to provide information to attendees. Contact Sarah Owen (sarah.owen@wv.usda.gov) if you would like to reserve a table.
Additionally, we welcome event sponsors, so please contact Sheldon Owen (sheldon.owen@mail.wvu.edu) if you might be interested in supporting our event.
An agenda will be published shortly, as will a link for online registration.
We look forward to seeing you in November!
10/05/2018 Announcement
Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh to Host Native Plant and Sustainability Conference
Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
The annual Native Plant and Sustainability Conference brings together national experts for a one-day forum on plants, landscapes and our role as environmental stewards. Topics include edible native plants for humans and pollinators, insect identification tools, how natural burials can help restore forest land and more.
Registration is $105 for Phipps member and $120 for nonmember. Further information: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/native-plant-and-sustainability-conference
Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh to Host Native Plant and Sustainability Conference
Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
The annual Native Plant and Sustainability Conference brings together national experts for a one-day forum on plants, landscapes and our role as environmental stewards. Topics include edible native plants for humans and pollinators, insect identification tools, how natural burials can help restore forest land and more.
Registration is $105 for Phipps member and $120 for nonmember. Further information: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/calendar/detail/native-plant-and-sustainability-conference
Recent News
- 9/26/18, Esquire: There Were 1 Billion Monarch Butterflies. Now There Are 93 Million.
- 9/18/18, PennLive: 100 monarch butterflies and counting added to hurting population
- 9/13/18, Cleveland News 5: Weather causes build-up of monarchs at Lake Erie, but experts say they may be gone already
- 9/11/18, PennLive: Will Hurricane Florence smash the monarch butterfly migration in Pennsylvania?
- 9/11/18, Smithsonian: How This Popular Garden Plant May Spread Parasites That Harm Monarchs
- 9/10/18, Kentucky, WKYT: Japanese beetles to blame for declining Kentucky monarch butterfly population
- 9/7/18, Chicago Daily Herald: Monarch butterflies reach highest levels of past 25 years, experts say
- 9/5/18, Globenswire West: NFWF Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants to Recover Monarch Butterflies and Pollinators across the United States
- 8/31/18, University of Kentucky: UK Research Finds a New Threat to Monarch Butterfly Food
- 8/20/18, Hagerstown MD, Hearld-Mail: Bees, butterflies and blooms abound at Pollinator Palooza
- 7/21/18, Huntington WV, The Herald-Dispatch: Museum offers up-close encounters with butterflies, other species
- 6/20/18, Los Angeles Times: Lincoln Brower, expert and advocate for iconic monarch butterfly, dies at 86
- 6/4/18, Martinsburg, The Journal: Making a waystation: 4th graders at North Jefferson continue Monarch Garden
- 5/31/18, Golf Course Industry: Monarchs in the Rough experiencing fast start: More than 250 courses have enrolled in the program since its January launch.
- 4/12/18, Morgantown Dominion Post: Monarch, West Virginia’s state butterfly in danger
- 11/10/17, Mother Nature Network: Why farmers are warming up to milkweed: Once a scourge, the plant is proving to be a winner in surprising ways.
Progress on endangered Species Listing for the Monarch Butterfly
US Fish & Wildlife Service, Conserving the Nature of America - Assessing the Status of the Monarch Butterfly
- Information: https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/SSA.html
- Monarch Conservation Database entries due by November 16, 2018: https://www.fws.gov/savethemonarch/MCD.html
- June 2019, Listing decision is due