Funding is through  National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in collaboration with support from Operation Pollinator (Syngenta)

Phase 1. Testing different plant mixes for attractiveness to pollinators.

Phase 2. Testing ability of a “best mix” to support diverse pollinators over the growing season.  Identify whether large scale plantings of the mix can enhance pollination service to adjacent crops under large-scale cultivation.  Determine best methods for cultivation and management within the context of a production farm.

We want our approach to be one that farmers can practically adopt and that can effectively enhance pollinator numbers and diversity without increasing pest pressure.

Photos of Mixes during the 2011 Season.

Forb Mix in May 2011

Sampling on the forb mix May 2011

Forb Mix August 2011

Note seed watermelon field with some border weeds to the left in the photograph.  By August early season flowers in the forb mix to the right have died back and later season sunflowers and gumweed dominates

Our research addresses basic questions about bee ecology, evolution and behavior.  It explores the intricacies of pollinator-floral interactions from animal and plant perspectives.  It seeks to understand the persistence of pollinator populations, pollinator and plant communities and pollination in the context of global change.