pollinators

In case the Asian Giant hornet wasn't enough, the Washington state Department of Agriculture is warning that pollinators in the state face another risk, with spring fast approaching.  This week, WSDA issued a warning of the Houdini fly, which targets the native mason bee.  ...

This is Bat Week, which is appropriate with Halloween on Wednesday.  The U.S. Forest Service uses this final week in October to promote how beneficial the mammals are to our everyday lives.  The USFS' Kim Winter said many of us, while we may not see bats often, don't realize how the flying rodents impact our livest and the foods we eat.   ...

Thanks to a recent $1 million donation, researchers at Washington State University can continue efforts to help the honey bee remain strong and active.  The WSU Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Facility in Pullman recently received the gift from Ken and Sue Christianson.  Ke...

This is National Pollinator Week.  More of us are not just worried about the decline of bees and other pollinators, we are also doing something about it.       If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com...

You've heard about the steep decline in the Monarch butterfly population, there's a way you can help restore them.   "With Monarch Challenge we're providing tools and resources to farmers and members of farm families to help establish and conserve habitat for Monarch butterflies. Thi...

A new study shows being lazy about mowing your lawn actually does some good work in helping your local bees and other pollinators.   "Doing good by not doing much," says Susannah Lerman Forest Service Wildlife Biologist. Working with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Forest Service found during a 2-year study on lawns in Springfield Massachusetts that the less-frequently yo

Representatives Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Jim McGovern of Massachusetts have introduced the Saving America’s Pollinators Act.  The legislation is designed to protect the health of honey bees and other critical pollinators.  Estimates are that the U.S. lost one-third of...

This Saturday, the Benton Conservation District will host a workshop focused on increase habitat for pollinators.   BCD’s Erin Hightower says this weekend’s event will focus on using natural vegetation to help pollinators that are struggling.   She say...

Pollinators are critical for farmers across the Northwest and across the country.  American Farm Bureau’s Paul Schlegel said pollinators are responsible for between $15 and $20 billion of agricultural produce throughout the year   “Crops like strawberries, apples, cherries and others depend on pollination for farmers to get them to market. Pollinator Week is a...

So much of agriculture depends on pollination, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture is reminding residents that they can grow plants that are bee friendly.   Rose Kachadoorian, an entomologist with the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Program said it’s important to offer a balanced garden.   “We see...