(The Times-Independent) Grand County bee inspectors Aug. 22 will give a presentation at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center regarding a plan to temporarily house over 8,000 commercial bee colonies used to pollinate crops in the West on Utah’s national forests, including the Manti-La Sal. Inspectors fear the commercial bee colonies would threaten native bees by competing for food and spreading disease.
(University of Exeter) A study from the University of Exeter shows that roadside verges provide a vital refuge for pollinators. But the study emphasizes that not all verges are equal. It found pollinators prefer less busy roads and areas deeper into verges. It also found that cutting verges in summer, which removes wildflowers, makes them useless for pollinators for weeks or even months.
(The Herald-News) Olivet Nazarene University monitors have been active for three seasons. They spotted two rusty patched bumble bees last year, and their studies year-over-year have provided information about a variety of other species of bumble bees and their life habits. Their data helps measure how the restoration work of Midewin volunteers, partners and staff is helping to bring back habitat for native Illinois prairie species. The ONU report that specifically focuses on the rusty patched bumble bee can be found here.
(CBS New York) Gardeners planted more than 200 species of flowering plants along the elevated greenway, and 30 species of bees have been found foraging on the High Line. “What we just did is provide it a suitable habitat for them to be here before they travel off to wherever they want to go next.”
(The Register-Guard) The Oregon Bee Project has a strategic plan, launched in June 2018, with four goals: protect bees from pesticide exposure, increase habitat, reduce impacts of diseases and pests on bees and expand the understanding of bees in the state.
(The Independent) Mainly made up of sedum plants, a total of 316 have been covered in greenery in Utrecht. The shelters not only support the city’s biodiversity, such as honey bees and bumble bees, but they also help capture fine dust and store rainwater.
(FoodNavigator) A Belgian start-up is analyzing pollen samples to monitor bees’ environments, a Quebecois innovation is tapping AI tech to “give bees a voice”, and dairy farmers in the UK and Sweden are creating insect-friendly ecosystems to promote biodiversity.
(RIT) The Rochester Institute of Technology has partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo Society to work on several projects both on and off campus to promote the conservation of pollinating animals, including birds, bees, and butterflies. RIT planted a seed mix specially designed to conserve pollinators in Western New York along a main road on campus.