Outdoor News

Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve Joins Bayer Feed a Bee Program to Plant Forage for Pollinators in Two Rivers

Local private nature preserve establishes plot for pollinators as part of $500,000 grant initiative to plant forage in all 50 states

Two Rivers – Woodland Dunes Nature Center will soon unveil its brand-new pollinator plots established specifically to offer increased habitat and nutrition sources for local pollinators. This is part of the Bayer Feed a Bee program’s $500,000 initiative to plant forage areas in all 50 states by the end of 2018.

Creating more bee food on Woodland Dunes property is important because it has historically been home to a variety of bee species. One such bee is the rusty-patched bumblebee, a pollinator that used to be found here and was common in its range 30 years ago. This bee pollinates 65 species of plants, including a number that produce food for us. The fact that it’s now endangered is concerning. This is just one example of why we are motivated to take action and create food plots on our preserve.

“We have thousands of visitors every year who will see our pollinator habitat, read our educational signage, and hopefully take steps in their lives to support bee populations in the future,” said Jeni Klein, Land Management Coordinator and Certified Arborist for Woodland Dunes Nature Center.

As one of the initial recipients of grants awarded during the first selection cycle of this two-year initiative, Woodland Dunes has received $5,000 to fund its planting project, which, together with the 57 additional projects recently honored, will help provide a tangible, sustainable solution to the current lack of forage for bees and other pollinators. In the first round of selection, 58 projects with demonstrable local impact have been funded in 31 states across the country, as well as Washington, D.C.!

“We are astounded by the terrific response we’ve received thus far from like-minded organizations desiring to join us in our efforts to support local pollinator populations,” said Becky Langer, project manager for the Bayer North American Bee Care Program. “This 50-state planting initiative will help further the reach of our Feed a Bee program by extending support to exceptional groups nationwide that are working to provide forage for pollinators through innovative and purposeful solutions.”

The projects range from planting additional native forage, integrated vegetation management (IVM) initiatives, habitat restoration programs and other forms of establishing forage that benefit pollinators. Bayer has committed to fund projects in all 50 U.S. states by the end of 2018, and with the first cycle of funding complete, more than half of those states have already been represented by organizations receiving grants. The organizations selected include community groups, universities, parks, wildlife refuges and more.

Applications for these forage project grants are being accepted on a rolling basis. Organizations may still apply, even if projects have already been funded in their states. Those interested in joining the Bayer Feed a Bee program in the quest to provide ample forage for pollinators can follow along on the progress or submit their own project for consideration via the request for proposals at FeedABee.com/Impact.