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Funded Project

Funding Program: IPM Partnership Grants

Project Title: Minimizing the Impact of Pesticide Applications on Pollinators

Project Directors (PDs):

Ginger M. Pryor [1]

Maryann Frazier [2]

Alex P. Surcica [3]

Lead State: PA

Lead Organization: Pennsylvania State University

Cooperating State(s): Maryland

Undesignated Funding: $25,000

Start Date: May-01-2010

End Date: Dec-31-2010

Area of Emphasis: pollinators, education, curriculum

Summary: Pollinators are not only vital players for agricultural and natural environments, but are also strong barometers of the level of sustainability in production systems. While their complete role in the natural environment is inestimable, in agriculture pollinators are responsible for the production of every third bite we eat. The ongoing decline in many pollinator species represents a worldwide environmental and economic threat. Recently, the US National Research Council's Committee underlined the magnitude of this threat and recommended that "as part of their outreach, federal granting agencies should make an effort to enhance public understanding of the importance of pollination as an ecosystem service through support for citizen-scientist monitoring programs, teacher education, and K-12 and general public education efforts that center on pollination". Northeast stakeholders from several IPM Working Groups have also raised the need for outreach efforts in pollinator education programs.

In this project, Extension Horticultural Educators and Master Gardeners will be provided with a train-the-trainer program on the most up-to-date pollinator-friendly IPM practices. The program will be delivered at nine sites (six in Pennsylvania and three in Maryland) for approximately 360 attendees, and each session will be broadcasted as a webinar for a total estimated 2,000+ off-site participants. At each site, the trainees will be provided with an intensive, full-day (8 hour) workshop covering pollinator biology, ecology, taxonomy, habitat requirements, and how to minimize the impact of pesticide applications on pollinators. Additionally, the participants will be provided with reference material that can be utilized in future educational programming. By participating in a train-the-trainer program, Extension Horticulture Educators and Master Gardeners will have the chance to improve their knowledge on pollinator species and importance; and how to better manage pollinators and their vital environmental services.

Objectives: The main objective of this educational program is to provide Extension Horticultural Educators and Master Gardeners with research-based information on how pesticides and habitat affects our pollinator populations and what garden practices the general public can implement to provide a safe habitat for both native and introduced (honey bees) pollinators. The trainees will be provided with all the necessary materials and references needed for further training their colleagues and clients. The anticipated impact is that this information will reach green industry personnel and the general public, having a ripple effect in the society, and bringing a positive change to the current trend of decline in pollinator species.

The following represent some of specific aims of the proposed effort:

*Educate the trainees about different types of pollinators and their biology;

*Teach the participants about the foraging and nesting habitats different pollinators need;

*Enhance the attendees' ability to distinguish between different types of pollinators, with an emphasis on native bees

*Instruct participants about how they can use knowledge about pollinator biology and habitat requirements for achieving pollinator friendly IPM;

*Instruct the participants on what IPM practices have the most positive impact on pollinators;

*Inform trainees about what the higher risk pesticides are and what softer alternatives are in the IPM tool box.

Proposal

Final Report:

Outcomes
Minimizing the Impact of Pesticide Applications on Pollinators; a Train-the Trainer Program for Extension Educators and Master Gardeners was a quality educational program that provided information to participants on integrated pest management as it relates to pollinator populations.
The following sessions were provided:
Pennsylvania
July 12, 2010 @ Berks County Coop. Ext.
July 13, 2010 @ Cumberland County Coop. Ext.
August 10, 2010 @ Lackawanna County Coop. Ext.
August 11, 2010 @ Clinton County Coop. Ext.
August 12, 2010 @ Venango County Coop. Ext.
August 13, 2010 @ Westmoreland County Coop. Ext.
Maryland
July 19, 2010 @ Harford County Coop. Ext.
July 20, 2010 @ Queen Anne's County Coop. Ext.
August 23, 2010 @ Washington County Coop. Ext.

Participants were provided with the following material on a CD for their use:
PowerPoints to use in educational programs:
"Native Pollinators 2010" (Appendix 1, included in full report)
"Landscaping for Pollinators" (Appendix 2, included in full report)
"Impacts of Insecticides on Pollinators" (Appendix 3, included in full report)

Posters that can be reproduced and used in displays:
Theme: "Meet the Pollinators"
"Butterflies & Moths" (Appendix 4, included in full report)
"Bees" (Appendix 5, included in full report)
"Bats, Birds, & Mice" (Appendix 6, included in full report)
"Flies & Beetles" (Appendix 7)
Theme: "Why Pollinators are in Trouble" (Appendix 8, included in full report)
"Degradation of Habitat" (Appendix 9, included in full report)
"Pesticides" (Appendix 10, included in full report)
Theme: "Protecting Pollinators" (Appendix 11, included in full report)
"Reduce Pesticides" (Appendage 12, included in full report)
"Remove Invasives" (Appendix 13, included in full report)
"Provide Habitat" (Appendix 14, included in full report)

Handouts that can be used at educational events:
"Questionnaires for PowerPoint Presentations" (Appendix 15, included in full report)
"Talking Points for Pollinator Garden Presentation" (Appendix 16, included in full report)
"Pollinator References" (Appendix 17, included in full report)
"Pollinator Friendly Garden Series" (Appendix 18, included in full report)
"Animal Pollinated Plants" (Appendix 20, included in full report)
"Nesting Habitats" (Appendix 21, included in full report)
"Gardening for Pollinators"(Appendix 22, included in full report)
"Hymenoptera Stings"(Appendix 23, included in full report)
"Pocket Guide 2010"(Appendix 24, included in full report)
"Bumble Bee Nest Box"(Appendix 25, included in full report)
"Solitary Bee Nesting Box"(Appendix 26, included in full report)
"Bumble Bee House"(Appendage 27, included in full report)
"nstructions for Building a Bee Box"(Appendix 28, included in full report)

Pollination food signs that identified food coming from pollinators were used with food served during the program and was requested by attendees. Signs were sent electronically to participants for reproduction and use at educational events. (Appendix 29, included in full report)

Due to interest in using IPM practices to protect pollinators and the enthusiasm of program participants, the Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program, developed a program to encourage homeowners to follow pollinator friendly garden practices which include IPM practices to protect pollinators. This program allows homeowners that follow pollinator friendly garden practices to certify their properties as being "Pollinator Friendly". For more information on this program go to the public page on the Center for Pollinator Research website, http://ento.psu.edu/pollinators/public-outreach

Impacts
"Minimizing the Impact of Pesticide Applications on Pollinators; a Train-the Trainer Program for Extension Educators and Master Gardeners" was held at 9 sites, with 15 Maryland Counties represented and 98 participants, and 45 Pennsylvania Counties and 138 participants. Participants increased their knowledge 66.29% as shown on pre and post test results. For detailed test results refer to Appendix 30 (included in full report). Participants also indicated that they will use information provided in their own gardens and provide educational programming in their communities on information learned. Below is a sample of comments from evaluation completed after program.
"Speakers very knowledgeable and good presentation skills. Program and plan for use with community is excellent. Simple behavior changes could benefit everyone--however, many not known to landowners, e.g. leaving wood, logs, etc. in landscape and not "purifying" yard in fall. Posters are also excellent and good background display."
"The Pollinator class was very informative. I learned much more than I thought I would, and I see I have much more to learn". Maryland should focus more on all pollinators!"
"I was inspired and now feel better-equipped to improve my garden as well as more comfortable spreading the gospel to the community."

A condensed version that included "Pollinator Friendly Gardening", "Bee Identification", and an introduction to the "Pollinator Friendly Garden Certification Program" was provided through Video Conferencing to 19 sites with 198 attendees. As a result of Master Gardeners attending this program and teaching community members about the "Pollinator Friendly Certification Program" we have certified 42 gardens in Pennsylvania since the certification program begun in May, 2011.

As a result of the training Master Gardeners in Pennsylvania and Maryland have reported hosting a total of 117 pollinator themed programs with a total of 3,160 attendees from 8/1/2010 to present. They also reported hosting pollinator displays at farm markets and county fairs.

We received the following responses to the following questions asked participants of Pollinator Programs hosted by Master Gardeners:

What is the most important idea or knowledge you have gained from this session?
"My need to turn this info into personal practice", "Variety of bees vs. wasps", "Bees very important and needed to keep or food supply", "Better ideas for landscaping for pollinators", "Re-thinking my use of pesticides", "Pesticide information", "Specific plants for pollinators & terminology & use of pesticides/insecticides"

What practice or knowledge from this training do you intend to incorporate into your own garden?
"Plantings conducive to housing of pollinators", "Will use this in "Plant more things for bee pollination", "Use water sites in my garden and change plants I use", "Less Pesticides", "Be aware of & more interested in plants to harbor pollinators", "Be aware of pesticides on pollinators and ways to encourage bees", "Selecting more diverse variety of plants"

Knowledge received in this program is also used by Master Gardeners that volunteer on county garden hotlines through various ways. Information taught on bee identification helped volunteers to correctly identify insects. Understanding IPM strategies that protect pollinators assisted volunteers to make recommendations for control or non-control of plant problems and the use of "soft" pesticides that have a low risk on pollinator populations.

Improving pollinator habitat and applying IPM practices in gardens, landscapes, and farms can greatly impact pollinator populations helping to preserve our pollinators for future generations.

Report Appendices

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