Riparian Buffers Can Make Good Pollinator Habitat

Oct 24, 2019

By Dana Schweitzer

Farmers and landowners who want to increase pollinator habitat while also improving water quality should consider the benefits of saturated riparian buffers enhanced with native wildflowers.

Establishing pollinator habitat within riparian zones, where the agricultural value is lower and where the conservation and wildlife benefits are likely high, can be a win-win.

“Landowners looking for the combined benefits of native habitat and water quality can capture both by establishing pollinator-friendly species on top of saturated buffers,” said Dana Schweitzer, program coordinator with the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium at Iowa State University.

As part of a four-year field demonstration, Schweitzer, Tom Isenhart, professor of natural resource ecology and management at Iowa State, and Steve Bradbury, professor of entomology at Iowa State, co-authored a new publication that helps landowners identify the best sites for buffers, the steps to establish a buffer with pollinator habitat and the programs available to help with funding and technical information.

“Establishing and Managing Pollinator Habitat on Saturated Riparian Buffers” is a four-page publication available on the ISU Extension Store.

Seeding a new or existing buffer with native perennials takes planning, and Schweitzer said landowners should plan at least a year ahead of putting native seed in the soil. Some areas, such as those that have been in a corn-soybean rotation for several years, typically have less weed pressure and are easier to transition. Other areas, including those with cool-season grasses, require more upfront weed management prior to planting a native seed mix.

The publication also outlines the anticipated costs for establishing pollinator habitat over a buffer by comparing different types of site locations, seed and labor costs.

Schweitzer said plots are usually fairly small, ranging from 1-3 acres and require some maintenance every three to five years to sustain a diverse native plant community.

The publication provides multiple resources, including ISU Extension and Outreach’s Questions and Answers about Saturated Buffers for the Midwest, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Working Lands for Monarch Butterflies fact sheet.

County-level resources are also available on ISU Extension and Outreach’s Wildlife Habitat Programs and Consultation website.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: Why Port Infrastructure is Key to Growing Canada's Farms and Economy

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) knows that strong, modern port infrastructure is vital to the success of Canada’s agriculture. When our ports grow, Ontario grain farmers and Canadian farms grow too—and when we grow, Canada grows.

In this video, we highlight the importance of investing in port infrastructure and how these investments are key to growing Ontario agriculture and supporting global trade. The footage showcases the strength of both Ontario’s farming landscapes and vital port operations, including some key visuals from HOPA Ports, which we are grateful to use in this project.

Ontario’s grain farmers rely on efficient, sustainable ports and seaway systems to move grain to markets around the world. Port investments are crucial to increasing market access, driving economic growth, and ensuring food security for all Canadians.

Why Port Infrastructure Matters:

Investing in Ports = Investing in Farms: Modernized ports support the export of Canadian grain, driving growth in agriculture.

Sustainable Growth: Learn how stronger ports reduce environmental impact while boosting economic stability.

Global Trade Opportunities: Improved port and seaway systems help farmers access new global markets for their grain.

Stronger Communities: Investment in ports means more stable jobs and economic growth for rural communities across Ontario and Canada.

We are proud to support the ongoing investment in port infrastructure and to shine a light on its vital role in feeding the world and securing a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture.

Special thanks to HOPA Ports for providing some of the stunning port footage featured in this video.