Business ManagementBusiness TrendsEducationFeaturedInnovationManufacturer/Supplier UpdatesPodcastsPodcastsProductsResourcesThe Latest
Listen Now: Segway Navimow Glides Into Robotic Mower Market
Jessica Schwartz
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Launches Center For Pollinator Conservation
Earlier this month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched the Center for Pollinator Conservation to address the decline of pollinator populations across North America. The national center will contribute science, provide decision support, and coordinate and share best practices with land managers for overcoming some of the biggest challenges facing pollinators. “The Center for Pollinator Conservation will advance our existing conservation efforts and welcome all those interested in enhancing pollinator populations,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “Given the importance of pollinators to food security, opening this center will improve how we work as an agency, dedicate shared resources and provide a space where we can engage and unite with others to conserve pollinators.” The center will initially launch as a virtual collaborative space and will focus on three key themes: highlighting the importance of pollinators; understanding and responding to threats; and coordinating action to reverse declines. Anticipated work for the center’s first year includes conducting assessments on the current state of pollinator conservation and science across the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; listening to agency programs and other partners across the country about how the center might function, and what it might provide; and developing mid-and longer-term strategies for the center and its work, including the announcement of a physical hub for its operations. During the past 30 years, the scientific and conservation communities have documented a steep decline of pollinator populations. Examples include the decline of the American bumble bee by 90%, the monarch butterfly by 80% and the Allen’s hummingbird ...
13 Facts About Bats For Halloween!
They’ve been called creepy, scary and spooky, but bats are an important species that impact our daily lives. From pollinating our favorite fruits to eating pesky insects to inspiring medical marvels, they are heroes of the night. Bat Week — held the last week in October — celebrates the role of these winged wonders in nature and all that these amazing creatures do for us. Check out some interesting facts and photos below from the U.S. Department of the Interior. 1. There are over 1,400 species worldwide. Bats can be found on nearly every part of the planet except in extreme deserts and polar regions. The difference in size and shape are equally impressive. They range in size from the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat (also called the Bumblebee) that weighs less than a penny — making it the world’s smallest mammal — to the flying foxes, which can have a wingspan of up to 6′. The U.S. and Canada are home to about 45 species and additional species are found in the U.S. territories in the Pacific and Caribbean. 2. Not all bats hibernate. Even though bears and bats are the two most well-known hibernators, not all bats spend their winter in caves. Some survive by migrating in search of food to warmer areas when it gets chilly. 3. Bats have few natural predators — disease is one of the biggest threats. Owls, hawks and snakes eat bats, but that’s nothing compared to the millions dying from white-nose syndrome. The disease — named for a white ...
Helping The Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a plan to recover the endangered rusty patched bumble bee to prevent extinction and ensure its long-term future. “Saving a species from extinction is a group effort… we can’t do this alone” said Charlie Wooley, regional director for the Great Lakes Region of the USFWS. “This is a great opportunity for those who live in the range of the rusty patched bumble bee to get involved in recovery… We encourage everyone to help by learning more about this interesting bee and providing flowers for pollen and nectar.” Rusty patched bumblebees are found in small, scattered populations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. Historically, the bee ranged across the eastern and upper Midwest U.S. Declared endangered in 2017, the bees’ population has plummeted by about 87% in the past two decades. The cause of the species’ drastic decline is unknown, but evidence suggests an interaction between a disease-causing pathogen and exposure to pesticides. Other threats include habitat loss and degradation, competition and disease introduction from managed and non-native bees, small population genetics, and climate change. The species needs nectar and pollen-producing flowers for food, undisturbed nesting habitat near food sources, and suitable overwintering areas to survive. The final recovery plan includes: land management to improve floral resources; measures to reduce exposure to pesticides and disease; and raising awareness. Five things landscapers can do to help the rusty patched bumble bee (and other native ...
Helping The Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a plan to recover the endangered rusty patched bumble bee to prevent extinction and ensure its long-term future. “Saving a species from extinction is a group effort… we can’t do this alone” said Charlie Wooley, regional director for the Great Lakes Region of the USFWS. “This is a great opportunity for those who live in the range of the rusty patched bumble bee to get involved in recovery… We encourage everyone to help by learning more about this interesting bee and providing flowers for pollen and nectar.” Rusty patched bumblebees are found in small, scattered populations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. Historically, the bee ranged across the eastern and upper Midwest U.S. Declared endangered in 2017, the bees’ population has plummeted by about 87% in the past two decades. The cause of the species’ drastic decline is unknown, but evidence suggests an interaction between a disease-causing pathogen and exposure to pesticides. Other threats include habitat loss and degradation, competition and disease introduction from managed and non-native bees, small population genetics, and climate change. The species needs nectar and pollen-producing flowers for food, undisturbed nesting habitat near food sources, and suitable overwintering areas to survive. The final recovery plan includes: land management to improve floral resources; measures to reduce exposure to pesticides and disease; and raising awareness. Five things landscapers can do to help the rusty patched bumble bee (and other native ...
