Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group

habitat conservation + working landscapes

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Pollinators, planting, and painting: West Ash neighbors gather for Plemmons Pollinator Day

Columbia Missourian (Columbia, MO)

June 5, 2022

The air was filled with a slight breeze, bees and neighborly spirit on Sunday during the Plemmons Pollinator Day in the West Ash Neighborhood in Columbia. Columbia residents gathered to exchange native plants, tour seven different gardens, paint faces, make watering dishes for bees and listen to live music. 

The event started in 2018 when a group of neighbors decided to share their passion for pollinators and native plants with the rest of their community. It was renamed the Gail Plemmons Memorial Pollinator Event last year to honor a neighbor who passed away. 

The garden tours included native plants, greenhouses, vegetables, chickens, rain barrels, composting, pollinators, lessons about watersheds and much more. “I like the fact that it’s kind of cheesy,” Christine Gardener said, one of the original organizers of the event. 

Continue reading this article at the Columbia Missourian website.

 

Monarch butterflies move closer to Endangered Species Protection

Salisbury Daily Times (Salisbury, MD)

June 7, 2022

Although they will have to wait till 2024, monarch butterflies are slated for a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on receiving endangered or threatened species protection.

On account of pesticide spraying, habitat loss and climate change, monarch butterfly populations have decreased 85%. 

The population is below the threshold at which government scientists estimate the butterfly migrations could collapse. The Center for Biological Diversity, along with the Center for Food Safety, petitioned for protection of the butterflies Aug. 26, 2014.

Read the rest of the article at the Salisbury Daily Times website.

400 butterflies released in refuge, [Colorado governor] Polis to sign law aimed at Colorado pollinator protections

The Denver Post

May 27, 2022

UPDATE: The bill mentioned in this article, Senate Bill 22-199, was signed into law by Colorado governor Jared Polis on May 27, 2022.

Warmer temps and moisture aligned with the release of 400 native butterflies into a public sanctuary southwest of Denver — amid efforts by Colorado leaders to ensure better habitat for pollinator insects statewide.

This Chatfield Farms Butterfly House — run by Denver Botanic Gardens and the Westminster-based Butterfly Pavilion — opens Saturday on a 700-acre preserve west of Chatfield Reservoir along Deer Creek.

Continue reading this article at The Denver Post website.

 

New pollinator habitat established in Shakopee (MN)

SWNewsMedia.com

May 30, 2022

A new pollinator habitat has been planted in Shakopee, becoming the largest habitat site in the city.

Seed for expanding the amount of pollinator habitat in town has been planted in more than eight acres of farmland along the intersection of Sioux Trail and Marystown Road.

The initiative is a partnership between the city of Shakopee, Xcel Energy and Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Read the rest of this article at swnewsmedia.com.

 

Sheep among the panels: using solar sites for pastureland

Pennsylvania Capital-Star

June 2, 2022

A solar power boom generated by new renewable energy mandates is unfurling in the Chesapeake Bay region. Virginia, for example, was ninth in the nation for new solar capacity in 2021.

With many solar arrays ending up on farmland, a movement is fast taking hold to make sure that they will benefit the environment, agriculture and wildlife, and not just create a sea of silicon.

Continue reading this article at the Capital-Star website. 

‘Operation Pollinator’ encourages businesses and homeowners to plant more gardens

Spectrum News 1 (Greensboro, N.C.)

June 2, 2022

In the push to help pollinators, a company is encouraging more people to plant gardens and let wildflowers grow freely.

Syngenta’s “Operation Pollinator” is a program with an international reach. It’s designed to help pollinators by planting native flowers.

Syngenta pollinator and IPM stewardship lead Caydee Savinelli oversees the Operation Pollinator garden on the company’s Greensboro campus, and she said it’s a powerful tool to help change the landscapes of our world.

Continue reading this article on the Spectrum News 1 website.

Monarch butterflies see resurgence in Mexico

Axios

May 31, 2022

The embattled monarch butterfly appears to have had somewhat of a royal revival in Mexico.

Why it matters: The butterfly endemic to North America has been at risk for years. Climate change, deforestation, pesticide use and the loss of the milkweed they feed on has made the monarchs’ survival much harder.

Driving the news: After years of decline, the area occupied by eastern monarchs in the Mexican forests they flock to grew 35% — from 5.19 acres in December 2020 to 7.02 acres in December 2021 — according to a study from the World Wildlife Fund and the Mexican Committee for Protected Natural Areas released last week.

Read the rest of the article at Axios.

Rotary Clubs plant monarch butterfly habitat in King City

King City Rustler (King City, CA)

May 31, 2022

KING CITY — Continuing a countywide effort to restore monarch butterfly populations, more than 80 Rotarians representing 22 Monterey County Rotary Clubs gathered at San Lorenzo County Park in King City earlier this month to plant 1.5 acres of a habitat garden.

A total of 300 native plants were planted May 7 by the volunteers, which also included Interact Club students from King City and Gonzales high schools, as well as County Supervisor Chris Lopez and King City Mayor Mike LeBarre.

Read the rest of the article on the King City Rustler website.

How utility rights-of-ways became a key habitat for native plants

St. Louis Public Radio

April 7, 2022

People may view electric transmission lines that cut through hills and forests as an eyesore. But environmentalists are finding these rights-of-way can provide a safe haven for threatened wildlife — including pollinators that are essential for food supplies.

For the past five years, Ameren Illinois has teamed up with the conservation nonprofit Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to plant native vegetation on 175 acres of rural rights-of-way.

Continue reading this article on the St. Louis Public Radio website.