California almond growers introduce pollinator protection plan

According to the Almond Board of California (ABC), a nonprofit marketing board, the California almond community has debuted a five-point Pollinator Protection Plan, consisting of initiatives aimed at protecting bees during almond bloom and beyond.

“Protecting and improving honeybee health during the short time that bees are in our orchards is critical to the success of every almond farmer. By working with national pollinator organizations, we are also engaging with partners who impact the health of bees during the other 10 months that they spend outside of almonds,” said Josette Lewis, director of agricultural affairs at ABC, in a press release.

The five pillars of the Pollinator Protection Plan are as follows:

1. The Almond Board of California is teaming up with the Pollinator Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting pollinators and their ecosystems. Through this alliance, ABC is working with Pollinator Partnership to integrate the Bee Friendly Farming program with the California Almond Sustainability Program’s (CASP) bee health module. The partnership aims to expand the number of almond farmers who provide a habitat for all pollinators on their farms.
2. Educating farmers and other pollination stakeholders. In 2014, ABC established the Honey Bee Best Management Practices (BMPs) to “provide recommendations to everyone involved in the pollination process to ensure almond orchards are a safe and welcoming place for honeybees while balancing the need to protect the developing crop.” This month, ABC held a series of in-orchard workshops highlighting the Bee BMPs and the benefits of planting bee pastures and cover crops.
3. Promoting tools for improved communication. BeeWhere, a new digital mapping tool, will debut later this year. It offers a real-time GIS (geographic information system) mapping system enabling beekeepers to mark their hives using a mobile app. Farmers and their pest control advisers can then access information about the number of beehives nearby and adapt their practices should they need to apply a pesticide to protect the developing crop.
4. Increasing floral diversity on-farm. With bee research organization Project Apis m., ABC is asking farmers to plant bee pastures and hedgerows. These offer additional food sources for all pollinators, including native bees.
5. Supporting bee health research. This year, ABC is funding five studies with bee experts across the United States to improve honeybee health.

Press release