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!