Presenter(s): Lauren Frantz—Environmental Science
Co-Presenter(s): Dan Liu, Gianni La Carrubba, Danielle Maves, Will Northington, Rachel Rosé, Joshaniel Tan
Faculty Mentor(s): Holly Moulton, Peg Boulay
Session 4: Environmental Leaders Program
Pollinators play a vital role in natural systems, but are also a fundamental necessity in agriculture across the world . Native pollinators, specifically, are important for maintaining a balanced ecosystem and sustaining genetic diversity in plants . Whitewater Ranch, an organic blueberry farm located in Leaburg, Oregon, depends on pollinators to increase production and health of the blueberry plants . We aim to develop a pollinator revitalization plan that bolsters native pollinators through the planting of native shrubs and forbs and the establishment of forage and habitat; additionally, we will recommend a pollinator certification that benefits flora and fauna as well as the ranch’s status as “pollinator friendly .” Through all of this, we must be mindful not to provide habitat to the invasive spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) . We will adapt previous monitoring plans from past Riparian Restoration teams to focus on native pollinator conservation by analyzing nectar and pollen habitat and collecting data on native plant species, spotted-wing drosophila populations, and ground coverage of Whitewater Ranch using Google Earth . We will explore potential pollinator rehabilitation procedures through intensive literature review and revision of past Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) team’s monitoring regimes . Through a balanced approach of pest management and native plantings, we hope to see a stronger pollinator community . Establishing a protocol for native pollinator management at Whitewater Ranch will not only increase their blueberry yields, but will be widely applicable to other organic farms in the Pacific Northwest .