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<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>Nature’s hidden bees help in
pollinations<BR></STRONG><FONT face="ARIAL, SANS SERIF" color=#000000>John
Schmitz; <FONT size=2>12/8/05</FONT></FONT><BR>Full article in <FONT
size=2>Capital Press Agriculture Weekly (Salem, OR), at: </FONT><A
href="http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?SectionID=67&SubSectionID=792&ArticleID=21525&TM=39146.52"><FONT
size=2>http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?SectionID=67&SubSectionID=792&ArticleID=21525&TM=39146.52</FONT></A><BR></FONT><FONT
face="ARIAL, SANS SERIF" color=#000000><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="ARIAL, SANS SERIF" color=#000000><FONT size=2>They’re on the
job earlier, put in longer hours, shun bad weather and don’t charge a dime,
which is exactly why growers should consider attracting more native bees to
their fields and orchards, says one entomologist.<BR><BR>There are about 150
species of pollen-carrying native bees, including bumblebees and Mason bees,
that inhabit the Willamette Valley, said Mace Vaughan, conservation director at
the Xerces Society in Portland. He said there are 18 species of bumblebees in
the region.<BR><BR>In any one field at a given time, at least 20 species of bees
can be going about their business.<BR><BR>While many growers today don’t give
native, or solitary, bees a second thought, the little invertebrates can improve
pollinations in many crops. But the welcome mat in the form of certain
incentives must be put out, Vaughan told organic growers gathered in Salem
recently for the Oregon Tilth annual convention.<BR><BR>These incentives amount
to, primarily, the establishment of native plants and opportunities for the
building of nesting sites in pesticide-free zones.<BR><BR>Abandoned rodent holes
and decaying timber stands are two nesting sites preferred by native bees,
Vaughan said.</FONT></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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<DIV><FONT
size=1>______________________________________________________</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><STRONG>The Xerces Society for Invertebrate
Conservation</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Protecting wildlife through science-based advocacy,
</FONT><FONT size=1>education, </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>and conservation projects since 1971. To join the Society,
make a </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>contribution</FONT><FONT size=1>, </FONT><FONT size=1>or read
about our work, please visit </FONT><FONT size=1><A
href="http://www.xerces.org/">www.xerces.org</A>.</FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Matthew Shepherd</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Director, Pollinator Conservation Program</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215,
USA</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Tel: 503-232 6639 Fax: 503-233 6794</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1>Email: </FONT><A href="mailto:mdshepherd@xerces.org"><FONT
size=1>mdshepherd@xerces.org</FONT></A><FONT size=1> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2><FONT
size=1>______________________________________________________</FONT></DIV>
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