Pollinator Pleasures

     In a post back in late January, I lamented the continuing drought, stating that rain will come again. Well, it did. By late spring the Red Hills region was getting precipitation and the land was starting to bloom. It had been since last October that some parts of the hills had received any measurable rain. With the land drinking up the wet offerings, plants prospered along with the region's herbivorous and rancher occupants. Some ranchers had been on the verge of de-stocking but got rain just in time. So now this land which had portions in the extreme drought characterization has been upgraded to simply "abnormally dry" in most areas and which is an amazing improvement. So now it's time to celebrate with some of the inhabitants most pleased by this natural replenishment--the pollinators. A recent Red Hills field tour was sponsored by the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. About 40 landowners and other participants enjoyed presentations on ranches by ranchers who have made an art of optimizing their pastures for cattle and pollinators. With the fate of monarch butterflies in question from various factors and the general awareness of the importance of pollinators to human life, there is intense interest in this arena. 

Bush morning-glory is one of the showiest of pollinator plants in the Red Hills.

Tarantula hawk on Broad-leaf milkweed.

Slurping on some Sand milkweed.

Loving on the Narrow-leafed milkweed.

       Red Hills ranchers teach each other as well as other guests about their range management that enhances wildflower and wildlife diversity as well as good cattle forage. Shelly Wiggam, Kansas State University pollinator expert, shares a wealth of information.

Fourpoint evening primrose dresses up the roadsides.

       Its a fennel frenzy for these Black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars in the
home garden--another great place for pollinators.

Clouded sulfur butterfly on Aromatic aster.

     There are many resources available if you have interest in enhancing your property for pollinators whether in town or the country. A good place to start if on the farm or ranch is your local USDA office. There is a great cost assistance program available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service and being coordinated through the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts. For more information, go to www.kacdnet.org or visit your nearest USDA service center. Another great source for the home gardener as well as country dwellers is Monarch Watch at monarchwatch.org. Plant some wildflowers for fun and environmental health.