Protecting Pollinators Resources Guide
Over the past five issues of Seed World you have read about the stressors impacting honey bee health, global research initiatives for pollinator health and the seed industry’s response to protecting pollinators. In this final installment, Protecting Pollinators brings you a resource guide of links and tools you can share with your sales team and farmers. We hope this guide will encourage discussions on pollinator stewardship and underscore the important role pollinators play in agricultural production.
There is an ever-growing amount of information available on pollinator health and protection around the globe. Both private and public organizations are taking up the cause and putting pollinator health and stewardship in the public eye.
We have distilled down some of these resources to create a quick reference guide of tools for your sales force to educate themselves and your customers on the role of pollinators in agriculture and their preservation. In addition to the links and resources, we have included a best management practices fact sheet for farmers regarding the safe use of treated seed. This fact sheet is also available for download right here.
Pollinator Resources
Honey Bee Health: Understanding the issues, providing solutions
A comprehensive booklet providing information on a broad range of topics including honey bee health, stressors, impact of crop protection products and stewardship guidelines. Available for download at: www.beecare.bayer.com.
The Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship
The American Seed Trade Association, CropLife America and several other industry partners have worked together to create an all-in-one guide for seed treatment applicators and farmers for handling and managing treated seed effectively.
Factors Affecting Global Bee Health
CropLife International’s report on honey bee health and population losses in managed bee colonies.
Protecting Pollinators: Why and How Pesticide Applicators Can Help Them
A four-page brochure from the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign on the basics of pollinator interation with pesticides and minimizing pollinator exposure.
Seed World: Giant Views of the Industry
Watch Seed World’s interview with Robyn Kneen, Bee Care project manager for Bayer CropScience on the role of pollinators in agriculture, neonics and why Bayer CropScience has invested in the Bee Care program. View online at www.SeedWorld.com.
Pollinator Links
• Pollinator Partnership—The Pollinator Partnership’s mission is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education, and research. Signature initiatives include the NAPPC (North American Pollinator Protection Campaign), National Pollinator Week, and the Ecoregional Planting Guides.
• United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services—The USDA NRCS offers a dedicated section on insects and pollinators, including information on how farmers can help pollinators. The USDA offers several other internal links on pollinator information and other resources for download.
• The Xerces Society—The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. Established in 1971, the Society is at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs.
• Bayer Bee Care—The Bayer Bee Care program is part of Bayer CropScience’s commitment to bee health. Its aims are to: further promote and develop solutions to improve bee health; actively promote the bee-responsible use of our products; and share knowledge and expertise with stakeholders from the beekeeping and agricultural communities and with scientific and governmental institutions, NGOs, policy makers and regulators.
Social Media Resources
Stay connected for the latest information on the Bayer Bee Care program and pollinator education.
Facebook
Bayer Bee Care Center
The Pollinator Partnership
The Canadian Pollination Initiative
Status and Trends of European Pollinators (STEP)
YouTube
Bayer Bee Care Center
www.youtube.com/BayerBeeCareCenter
The Pollinator Partnership
www.youtube.com/user/PollinatorPartners
Twitter
Bayer Bee Care Center
twitter.com/BayerBeeCare
The Pollinator Partnership
twitter.com/Pollinators
twitter.com/step_project
