Camp Hill, PA –The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF), the only non-profit whose mission is Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, received a grant on behalf of the Forbes State Forest to create a new pollinator field, 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.
As one of the grant recipients awarded during the fourth selection cycle of this two-year initiative, Forbes State Forest received $2500 to fund a planting project, which, together with additional projects honored through the initiative, will help provide a tangible, sustainable solution to the current lack of forage for bees and other pollinators. In the fourth round of selection, 20 projects with demonstrable local impact were funded across the country. This creates a total of 112 projects funded in 39 states as well as Washington, D.C. since the initiative’s launch!
The Forbes Forest District will plant 3.4 acres of pollinator forage over three sites. The plan is to use a native wildflower seed mix. Two of the sites will be in the Pondfield Division including a portion of the Lick Hollow Picnic Area. The other site will be located along Route 30, outside of the district office.
“It is our hope that these sites will serve as demonstration areas,” said Celine T. Colbert, Forester, Forbes State Forest. “We want to teach landowners how to create their own pollinator forage areas and the importance of promoting our native pollinators.”
“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, including submissions from community groups, universities, parks, wildlife refuges and more.
“We applaud Bayer for recognizing the need to invest in pollinator gardens and providing funding to empower projects across the nation,” said Marci Mowery, President of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. “Planting pollinators is something we can all do to help address the needs of pollinating insects.”
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.