Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
PROTECTING POLLINATORS IN URBAN LANDSCAPES CONFERENCE GRANT
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029121
Grant No.
2022-67013-38081
Cumulative Award Amt.
$25,000.00
Proposal No.
2022-05157
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 15, 2022
Project End Date
Aug 14, 2023
Grant Year
2022
Program Code
[A1113]- Pollinator Health: Research and Application
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
EXT AG AGRIBUSINES
Non Technical Summary
Insect pollinators provide an important service for food gardens and wildflowers in urban spaces. A decrease in the diversity and number of flowers and availability of sites for nesting threatens pollinators and the beneficial pollination that they provide. The Protecting Pollinators in Urban LandscapesConference is a multi-university collaboration that brings together indiividuals whose education, outreach, and research involves bees and other pollinating insects in urban spaces. By exchanging information on the experiences of pollinator protection and research, we provide educators and practitioners with up-to-date resources on best practices for pollinator protection and the tools to meet urban conservation and education programs. This conference is expected to draw 100 - 200 individuals from diverse backgrounds and different regions of the United States and is open to individuals outside of academia with an interest in pollinator conservation. Participants will identify key needs and knowledge gaps that can be addressed by future research and are expected to engage in fact-based discussions on pollinator conservation, habitat protection, and cultutral and social factors that influence pollinator habitat and knowledge.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2110530113075%
2112123113025%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
2123 - Bedding/garden plants; 0530 - Parks and urban green space;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;
Goals / Objectives
The Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference fills a gap in education and communication by promoting the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences among diverse urban stakeholders, including researchers, educators, and practitioners. The long-term goal of this conference is to advance pollinator conservation in urban areas in the United States. The specific aims are to(1) provide educators and practitioners with up-to-date, research-based information relevant to creating and managing pollinator-friendly urban landscapes(2) identify key needs and knowledge gaps facing practitioners that can be addressed by future research(3) share approaches, tools, progress, and challenges in real-world urban conservation and education programs, and(4) foster open-minded and fact-based discussion among all participants.
Project Methods
The proposal is exclusively focused on developing and planning the Protecting Pollinators in Urban Spaces Conference to educate and train others on pollinator protecton and develop practices and collaboration for future efforts in urban pollinator conservation. This will include presentations, keynote speakers, as well as 2 workshops and a garden tour.All attendees will receive a post-event evaluatonevent evaluation to determine knowledge gains, how they will use information from the conference, and how this information will be applied for pollinator health research, extension, or habitat preservation.

Progress 08/15/22 to 05/22/23

Outputs
Target Audience:This conference was intendedforscientists, students, municipal workers, and Extension Master Gardeners who have professional responsibilities or personal interest in pollinator protection within urban spaces. The scope of this conference was relevant to anyone across the United Stateswith a connection to urban pollinators and practices that enhance and protect them. We made an effort to market the conference to HBCUs and urban agriculture advocacy groups in the Southeast USA. Registration and details for the conference were marketed to the Entomlogical Society of America members, Extension Master Gardener listservs, and online forums of bee scientists. Changes/Problems:Two speakers and one workshop leader who were planning to participate in person informed us close to the conference that they would need to cancel and could only participate as a virtual speaker. We accommodated this request but had tried to limit virtual presentations for this in-person conference. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Twenty one individuals participated in the advanced bee identification workshop. Thirty five individuals participated in the workshop on how to implement community-wide pollinator protection program. Due to this grant, six individuals (students and NGO staff) received a scholarshp to offsets costs andattend the conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We offered a comprehensive conference that included speakers with expertise in numerous areas of pollinator biology, research, and extension. Participants completed a post-conference evaluation on knolwedge gains and how they will implement material into their profession or practice. The response rate was 47% (42/89), and we summarize findings of this post-conference evaluation below: 84% will update or develop outreach or Extension material on pollinators 72% already are or will make changes to their landscaping or growing practices to protect pollinators 85% will incorporate grower concerns or applied knowledge gaps into research you are conducting 95% will educate others about pollinators 78% will become involved in a pollinator initative 76% will establish a new pollinator habitat or garden The above metrics indicate that the content from speakers and calls to action for pollinator protection will be implemented in a variety of mannersby the attendees. The post-conerence evaluation also showed that attendees overwhelmingly valued participaging in this venue. Ninety-one percent of attendees indicated the confrence met their expectations. By offering this conference tailored to pollinators in urban spaces, we attracted a diverse group of individuals across geographical, career, and demographic backgrounds to foster connections and discussions on pollinator protection.

Publications

  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Information about the conference and the final program was hosted on the website: http://protectingpollinators.org/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: The Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference was a 3 day event held in Athens, GA. The event had 89 participants, of which 22 were speakers. Thirty-four students participated in the conference, and several submitted posters. Participants included extension educators, academics, staff at NGOs and conservation organizations, staff of state and local governments, and other groups. While most participants were from the USA, several were from US territories and Canada. Session themes included 1) Pollinators in the urban environment: status and trends, 2) Pollinators and people: Socioeconomic and cultural influences, 3) Challenges for Urban Pollinators, 4) Taking action - Landscaping for Pollinators, and 5) Taking action - Landscaping for pollinators, soil. The conference also had add-on workshop of an advanced pollinator identification and a workshop on implementing a community-wide pollinator protection program.