What is pollination? What are pollinators?

Pollination occurs when pollen is moved within flowers or carried from flower to flower by pollinating animals such as birds, bees, bats, butterflies, moths, or beetles, among others, or by the wind. The transfer of pollen in and between flowers of the same species leads to fertilization, and successful seed and fruit production for plants. Pollination ensures that a plant will produce full-bodied fruit and a full set of viable seeds. Three-fourths of flowering plants and about 35 percent of all food crops depend on animal pollinator species to reproduce. Pollinating these crops without the aid of insects, bats, and birds would be financially unsustainable.

Worldwide, there is evidence that pollinator species have been affected by habitat loss, increased use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, introduced and invasive plant and animal species, and diseases and parasites. Many pollinators are federally 'listed species,' meaning that there is evidence of their disappearance in natural areas. One major issue that greatly affects pollinator health is Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybee populations. Over the past 10 years, The United States has lost about 50 percent of its managed honeybee colonies. EPA and other federal government agencies are currently conducting research on the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder and other factors that are threatening the health and well-being of pollinator species.

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What EPA is Doing

On June 20, 2014, the White House released a memorandum announcing the first comprehensive pollinator initiative across the federal government. The 2014 Presidential Memorandum charges EPA with the following actions:

• Assess the effects of pesticides on pollinator health.
• Engage states and tribes in the development of pollinator protection plans.
• Encourage the incorporation of pollinator protection and habitat planting activities into green infrastructure and Superfund projects.
• Expedite review of registration applications for new products targeting pests harmful to pollinators.
• Increase habitat plantings around Federal facilities.

EPA co-chairs the Pollinator Task Force with USDA to create a National Pollinator Health Strategy that promotes the health of honey bees and other pollinators (including birds, bats, butterflies, and insects). EPA also is taking several pesticide risk management actions to protect pollinators, including monarch butterflies and bees. EPA will continue to conduct chemical-specific risk assessment for insect pollinators and will consider additional chemical-specific mitigation (based on chemical-specific risk assessment) as needed.

Some EPA Regions are developing training for staff to encourage the development of pollinator habitats on formerly contaminated land. For example, Region 7's Internal Programs Pollinator Workgroup has developed training for Region 7 remedial project managers on creating pollinator habitats and how to move forward with the process on their sites.

EPA also is working with state and tribal agencies to develop and implement local pollinator protection plans, known as Managed Pollinator Protection Plans to address the use of highly toxic pesticides in areas other than where bees are brought onsite to provide contract pollination services. Several states have begun engaging stakeholders (growers, applicators and beekeepers) in development of state pollinator protection plans. EPA will seek public input on proposed mitigation. The goal is to have pollinator protection plans available in 2015, where appropriate, and to have labels that reference pollinator protection plans by 2016.

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How the Superfund Program Can Help Pollinators

This video shows how the Chemical
Commodities Superfund site cleanup
has been a success for plants and
people, and for pollinators.

Superfund and other contaminated sites provide opportunities for creating pollinator habitats. Pollinator habitats can be considered for sites with revegetation efforts and ecological revitalization. The creation of pollinator habitats also can be incorporated into cleanup and reuse plans that include agricultural or recreational use, and in relatively small areas of greenspace, even in urban areas.

Superfund site managers can consider selection of pollinator plant species as part of their remedy design and at other phases of the cleanup. In some cases, as a result of five-year reviews and operation and maintenance inspections, site managers can consider planting pollinator plant species if a revegetation effort is needed to correct erosion and other soil- or plant-related issues found at the site.

In addition to these examples, revitalization of other Superfund sites could be easily adapted to creating habitat to attract, support, and protect butterflies, bees, bats, and other pollinators through the introduction of specific plants, water sources and other elements.

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Creating Pollinator Habitat

Increasing the number of pollinator habitats (or enhancing existing greenspace to accommodate pollinators) is an important step toward restoring the pollinator population. In general, many native pollinator plant species thrive in full sunshine and local soils, providing valuable opportunities to capitalize on sunny, hot, and exposed locations.

The first step to creating pollinator habitat at a Superfund site is planning during the remedy design and site reuse planning processes for opportunities to protect health and well-being of pollinators. However, pollinator habitat can be added any time. As with any ecological revitalization project, site preparation is critical for creating pollinator habitat. Prior to sowing, it is important to determine whether the project site will support suitable growing conditions. In particular, emphasis must be placed on removing invasive or non-native species. Thriving invasive species will burden attempts to grow a prosperous pollinator habitat.

Pollinator habitats will differ from Region to Region (and from state to state and one ecoregion to another). Generally, pollinator habitat involves creating:

• Foraging Habitat: Ensure sufficient foraging habitat for pollinators, including plant species of high value. Cultivate native plants that are specific to the pollinator species that you want to attract. Deep or complex flowers may be suited to specific species, such as lupines for bumblebees. Open flowers, such as asters, are easily accessible to bee species that have short mouthparts or are small in size, as well as flies and beetles. Cluster plantings if possible, and try to ensure that there is continuous bloom through fall.
• Nesting/Reproductive Sites: Nesting or reproductive considerations depend on the needs of the pollinator species for which the land is being managed. For specific butterfly and moth species, appropriate larval host plants should be used. For native bees, sufficient ground nesting areas, snags, or bee blocks should be available. For hummingbirds and doves, sufficient nesting habitat should be present. Bats will require sufficient roosting and maternity habitat. Habitat connectivity is another important concept to consider in habitat planning due to high fragmentation in many regions. For a bee, both nesting and foraging habitat should be in close proximity to benefit the greatest number of species and provide optimum conditions.
• Shelter: Provide shelter in the form of windbreaks, specific plantings, and overwintering areas. Windbreaks also provide nesting sites for some species as well as additional nectar and pollen sources (maples, wild cherries, linden, etc.). Such areas will also provide cover for butterflies in windy conditions and adverse weather.
• Monitoring: Monitor the site over time with pollinator inventories and note changes such as pollution and other habitat effects. Though scientific counts are preferred, simple observation such as notes on the number of floral visitors to a patch per 10 minutes or monitored usage of bee blocks are acceptable and encouraged.

More details on creating pollinator habitat can be found through the resources provided below.

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Further Information and Resources

White House and EPA Actions

• White House Blog: New Steps to Protect Pollinators, Critical Contributors to Our Nation's Economy
  A blog post by EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe and Krysta Harden, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about President Obama's June 20, 2014 memorandum directing U.S. government agencies to take additional steps to protect and restore domestic populations of pollinators.
• Overview of Ongoing EPA Efforts for Pollinator Protection
  Power Point presentation with an overview of EPA's ongoing pollinator protection efforts, its response to President Obama's memorandum to federal agencies regarding pollinator protection, and its engagements with co-regulators, including states and tribes.
• EPA Actions to Protect Pollinators
  EPA's role in the Pollinator Task Force and its pesticide risk management actions to protect pollinators.

Pollination and Pollinators – General

• Canada – Mexico – U.S Monarch Butterfly Collaboration
  Information about, and text of a 2014 commitment by President Obama, Prime Minister Harper of Canada, and President Peña Nieto of Mexico on monarch butterfly conservation.
• Pollinator Partnership
  The Pollinator Partnership's mission is to promote the health of pollinators through conservation, education, and research. This site includes information and resources related to signature initiatives, including the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, National Pollinator Week, and the Ecoregional Planting Guides.
• Protecting Pollinators Through Sustainable Superfund Reuse
  This archived webinar highlights the opportunities presented to support pollinators through sustainable and conscientious reuse of Superfund sites and other blighted properties. Speakers shared case study examples of pollinator habitat on contaminated sites, as well as some available resources to aid in supporting pollinators at a site near you.
• USDA National Resource Conservation Service: Insects and Pollinators
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resource Conservation Service provides technical expertise and conservation planning for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners wanting to make conservation improvements to their land. This page has general information on creating and managing habitat and conservation measures to support insects and other pollinators.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pollinator Pages
  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) pollinator pages provide information about threats to pollinators and links to outreach and educational materials. Links to FWS National Wildlife Refuges, Fish Hatcheries, and other offices that have pollinator gardens and trails are also provided.

Creating Pollinator Habitat

• EcoTools – Plants and Revegetation
  U.S. EPA
  Information and numerous resources about native plants and avoiding the use of non-native species when restoring sites.
• EcoTools – Resources by State and EPA Region
  U.S. EPA
  A listing of native plants for landscape use, federally listed endangered species, noxious species, and botanical experts and state resources for that state from the Roadside Use of Native Plants, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration.
• Making Room for Native Pollinators
  U.S. Golf Association and Xerces Society
  This publication provides guidelines for creating habitat for pollinator insects. Topics addressed by the guide include appropriate plant species selection, identifying planting locations, and creation of nesting sites for bees.
• Pollinator Friendly Practices
  U.S. Forest Service
  The U.S. Forest Service website outlines the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign's Pollinator Friendly Practices Guidelines, which consider six different areas of land use management: foraging habitat, reproduction, shelter, invasive/exotic species, chemical use, and monitoring.
• Supporting the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators
  U.S. Interagency Federal Working Group
  To address a requirement in the Presidential Memorandum, Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, the Council on Environmental Quality and the General Services Administration facilitated the creation and tasks of a working group to prepare this addendum to the Sustainable Practices for Designed Landscapes guidance for federal agencies. It includes new information on landscape design and maintenance as part of the National Pollinator Health Strategy.
• U.S. Air Force Pollinator Conservation Reference Guide.
  U.S. Air Force
  This guide provides technical information and resources for implementing a pollinator conservation strategy that is consistent with the Air Force's mission and available funding. This Reference Guide was developed to supplement existing agency policies, guidance, instructions, and business rules, and is informed by such. The U.S. Air Force Pollinator Conservation Strategy lays out a strategic vision, goals and objectives for the Air Force to achieve pollinator conservation on Air Force lands. This Reference Guide builds on documents, such as Pollinator-Friendly Best Management Practices for Federal Lands, and is part of a larger project that includes development of a strategy and training to support the efforts of Air Force personnel to conserve pollinators.

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