BLM-OR/WA Pollinator Habitat Framework for Coastal Meadow Conservation, Citizen Science and Environmental Education Outreach

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant loss of pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies from the environment. In June 2014, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum directing the Federal Government to use its research, land management, education, and public/private partnership capacities to broadly advance honey bee and other pollinator health and habitat. The Bureau of Land Management is committed to improving habitats for pollinators on public lands through conservation and restoration projects. Characteristics of healthy lands include diverse pollinator populations and a variety of native plant species that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. The objective of this project is to complete a baseline pollinator inventory of the xeric coastal wildflower meadows of the San Juan Islands National Monument; document pollinator affinities with rare and culturally significant plant species identified as objects and values of the Monument; map existing nesting habitat for the principal pollinators concerned; and provide a scientifically sound algorithm for estimating pollinator nesting habitat needs associated with future restoration of degraded portions of coastal wildflower meadows in the Monument. Science based educational outreach that engage youth, veterans, and underserved populations in nature based research, invasive species management, data collection, and outreach is included in project activities.