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05-13-14 Park Comm MtgCITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 AGENDA 1. CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING A. Roll Call 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD SHOREWOOD CITY HALL 7:00 P.M. Hartmann (May) Mangold (June) Dietz (July) Savaell Ische B. Review Agenda 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of April 8, 2014 — (Att. - 42A) B. Park Tour Minutes of May 7, 2014 — (Att. - 4213) 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR 4. REVIEW LANDSCAPE STANDARDS FOR CITY PARKS A. Humming For Bees — 15 Minute Presentation by Patricia Hauser B. List of Landscape Standards _5. EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT 6. BADGER PARK UPDATE AND UPCOMING JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL ON MAY 27 AT 5:30 7. STATUS OF PARK SUMMIT MEETINGS 8. REVIEW PARK TOURS FROM MAY 7, 2014 9. ESTIMATES FOR WATER AT THE FREEMAN PARK COMMUNITY GARDEN 10. NEW BUSINESS 11. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS /UPDATES (S'taff reports and updates are not meant for discussion. Discussion items will be listed as part ofnew or old business.) A. Citv Council B. Staff 12. ADJOURN Liaison for Citv Council Meetinm on Mav 26 - Hartmann CITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 MINUTES CONVENE PARK COMMISSION MEETING Chair Quinlan convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD SHOREWOOD CITY HALL 7:00 P.M. A. Roll Call Present: Chair Mangold, Commissioners Hartmann, Dietz, Savaell, and Ische; Citv Council Liaison Hotvet; Citv Planner Nielsen Absent: None B. Review Agenda Sawtell moved to approve the agenda as written. Dietz seconded the motion. Motion carried. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Park Commission Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2014, Commissioner Sawtell moved to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2014 meeting as amended: Page 1, Item 2A, change 50 to 750; Commissioners discussed whether to change the discussion during the vote for Chair. Sawtell stated he raised the question of whether the vote should be delayed until Commissioner Dietz could be present. Hartmann seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 -0. 3. MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR There Nvere none. New Commissioner Ische introduced himself and discussed his background which will be helpful in his new role as Park Commissioner. It was noted Ische would replace Bob Edmondson. 4. BADGER PARK UPDATE AND FOLLOW -UP ON COUNCIL WORK SESSION Mangold stated the meeting with the City Council was not held, and we are still waiting for financial updates on the park constriction. Nielsen stated the two concepts were reviewed in detail. He noted there were flaws in both concepts. He noted everything gets real squeezed on the north end as one leaves the ball park. The original concept envisioned a pathway through the park to the Southshore Center. He stated concept 2 is more angular. On concept 1, the appearance is that of one large parking lot. Concept 1 is more of a tree - lined drive to the parking lot. The Council believed concept 2 tied the Center better to the park. The loop to the Center is under the canopy in concept 1 while the loop is further to the west on concept 2. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 PAGE 2 OF 4 He discussed field orientation and the advantages of having it north/south or east/west. He stated if concept 2 is more expensive with the change in field orientation, they may still go with concept 1. Nielsen stated it was felt that it would be more productive to have a work session when the financial information is available. Mangold agreed we are being held back by not having the numbers. Nielsen felt the information would be available for the next month's meeting. Nielsen stated the most expensive part of the element will be the picnic shelter. He stated as we progress, the elements are subject to change and relocation. Ische stated he lilted concept I but believed the two play areas should be next to each other. Mangold agreed. He believed the play area is a lot of space. He stated concept 2 lacks the green space that he thought was our overall goal. Ische also discussed the importance of having the picnic area near the play areas. Hotvet asked where the Watershed District's collaboration falls. Nielsen stated once the design is selected, the Watershed District will be notified. Reusing the water and circulating it through will be possible issues of concern. Hotvet stated she didn't think it would hurt to engage them before the concept is selected. Nielsen stated they have been contacted. Hartmann discussed areas where the Watershed could become involved. Nielsen stated the director is very creative when finding projects to partner. Ische stated it will be costly to redirect water to the pond. He stated the impact to wetlands might be a concern. Nielsen stated this is a constricted pond. Dietz asked what a "community display" would involve. Nielsen stated it is community artwork or sculptures. Dietz asked if there would be a clear count for parking spaces in each concept. Mangold noted it is on the site plans. 5. DISCUSS LANDSCAPE STANDARDS FOR CITY PARKS Commissioners reviewed a packet from another community. Nielsen stated it lays out maintenance items for all city -owned property. He noted each piece of property would be categorized into levels of service. He reviewed examples from the packet which talks about how often areas are mowed, fertilized, or aerated. The next step would be to determine what the levels of service will be. He stated the list will be created for Shorewood and brought along on the park tours. Hotvet suggested replacement of equipment be added to the information. Mangold stated it would be nice to have inspection lists for each park as well. Hotvet stated she likes the idea of this and having it published on the website so people know. PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 PAGE 3 OF 4 Commssioners and staff discussed complaints regarding the tennis court net and the field at Badger Park. Nielsen stated another complaint is the equipment gate at the hockey rink is left open all the time. Mangold stated the levels of service might also be different from one park to another. Nielsen stated baselines can be set. Ische stated it would be helpful for residents to know when fields, for example, are scheduled to be maintained. Nielsen stated this item will be brought back to the next meeting after input from Public Works. He stated wood chip placement needs to be a regular maintenance item. He mentioned Public Works has been responsible for storm water pond inspections. He stated this task will be shifted to a consultant who does this on a regular basis. Nielsen stated a Shorewood resident will be attending the next Park Commission meeting to discuss the need for more flowers in the parks to attract bees and avoiding certain pesticides that are harmful to bee colonies. Dietz stated it would be important to know what Public Works is spraying now and when. Hartmann suggested Larry Brown also attend the meeting. 6. DETERMINE DATES FOR PARK TOURS Mangold stated park tour dates need to be determined. He stated BroN -,n has indicated May is too early for the park tours and they should be moved back. Ische stated if parks are visited in July, Little League season is over. Mangold suggested the July and June lists be flipped. He also suggested moving Gideon Glen from one list to the other. Ische believed we would want to visit the ball fields as soon as possible in order to help Director BroN -,n develop his list of work projects. Savaell suggested we visit Freeman Park in May. Hartmann suggested Cathcart also be included in May. Mangold stated the Council work session is in May which is a conflict. Nielsen suggested getting together N-, th the Council prior to their meeting night. Mangold stated another option is to schedule the park tours on a different night. Mangold suggested the work session be the regular Park Commission night and have a park tour of Freeman, Cathcart and Manor Parks on the same night. Commissioners discuss possible nights. Nielsen stated he would send out possible dates to see what works best. Commissioners discussed having the tour on Wednesday, May 7 beginning at 7 p.m. Commissioners continued discussion of other park tours and the parks that should be reviewed. Freeman, Cathcart, Badger, Gideon Glen, and Crescent N -611 be visited starting at 6:30 p.m. on May 7 given the amount of daylight. The remainder of the parks N -611 be done on June 10. 7. DETERMINE LIAISON FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON APRIL 14 PARK COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014 PAGE 4 OF 4 Commssioners discussed who will be liaison for the City Council meeting on April 14. Sawtell volunteered. 8. NEW BUSINESS Hartmann asked if there needs to be any discussions with the baseball organizations now that they have merged. Nielsen stated Twila holds an annual meeting to discuss field usage. He stated he would talk with her to see if she has heard anything about changes. Sawtell asked if there has been any discussion of the number of meetings one can miss. Nielsen stated the Planning Commssion came up with four as their recommendation. There is always the possibility there would be extenuating circumstances, and the Council would be the final word. In response to a question from Ische, Nielsen stated he would check the ordinance to determine whether it is a calendar year or a "rolling" year. Sawtell moved, Ische seconded to recommend a Park Commission member cannot miss more than four meetings in a calendar year and more than two in a row barring any unforeseen circumstances. Motion carried 5 -0. 9. STAFF AND LIAISON REPORTS /UPDATES A. City Council B. Staff Nielsen stated an agenda item to recommend working Nvth a solar consultant to add solar panels to city buildings Nvas on a recent agenda. Hotvet stated the Council Nvould like to move slovdv. Hotvet noted the resident concerned about bees Nvould like a resolution adopted. Commissioners and staff discussed this issue. 10. ADJOURN Hartmann moved, Sawtell seconded, to adjourn the Park Commission Meeting of April 8, 2014 at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder CITY OF SHOREWOOD PARK TOUR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 MINUTES PARK TOUR 5755 COUNTRY CLUB RD SHOREWOOD CITY HALL 6:1_5 P.M. The Commission met at Freeman Park at approximately 6:15 pm for the tour of City parks. Chair Mangold, Commissioners Hartmann, Mangold and Savaell Nvere present. Commissioner Dietz Nvas absent. 1. FREEMAN PARK Discussion included the folloN ng: • Possible hockey rink. locations — suggested the area near Eddy Station. • Full-sized rink. Nvas not seen as necessary as most skaters practice indoors • Staff Nvas directed to find out what size rink. Nvould suit hockey organizations and to find out how much the outside rinks Nvere used • Summer uses for the hockey rink. • No guarantee there Neill be usable grass in the spring after hockey rink. is used • NICE rink. system could be a temporary solution • Park users enjoy all the open space in the park. • Ball field fence near Eddv Station needs repair and /or replacement • Expected life span of fencing • Small shelter Neill be v rapped • Review of new ball field fence shoNved balls can roll under the fence. Dirt could be placed to stop balls if it doesn't impact drainage or poles could be loNvered about 3 inches. • Garden revieNved shoNved two trees have been removed. • Concerns raised about turf and providing Nvater to the site from Park Lane. • Requires a spigot that costs around $2,000 • Drinking fountain needs replacement at concession stand • Concrete Nvork also needed • Grave trail from concession stand and trail between park areas Neill be repaved this spring 3. CATHCARTPARK • Park intent Nvas discussed • Park usage has increased over the Nears • Parking still an issue • Most used rink. • Lighting replaced Nv th used lighting system • Drainage continues to be an issue on other side of hockey rink. • Herbicide usage is an issue • Possible need to create different zones throughout parks; e.g., ball fields, open areas • Need to create better access for flooding vehicles • Tennis court recoating has been effective — recoating is done on a rotating basis • Area around tennis court fence needs to be cleaned up • More material needed in small playground PARK COMMISSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 PAGE 2 OF 2 • Portable Nvarming house used • Ball field is not regulation sized because of proximity to trees • Working Nv th Chanhassen is an issue as the park is located in their city • Church allows overflow parking but Neill not post signs advertising this • Coiled electric line needs to be screened 4. CRESCENT BEACH • Beach co -ovned Nv th Tonlca Bav • Serves as lake access in the Nvinter • Sand needs to be cleaned /raked • E -coli discussion and procedure for informing residents 5. GIDEON GLEN • Prairie Restoration performs the burn and maintains the restoration • Great partnership Nvth the Watershed District • Work continues to stabilize the pond • Silt fence Neill be removed once the hill is stabilized Nvth vegetation • Parking lot is pending and additional signage Neill be added 6. BADGER PARK • Project prices are being reviewed and attempts made to lower them where possible • Field maintenance discussion • Crossing for the nature path is in the CIP; bridge Nvould be an expensive solution • Staff is Nvorking on the drainage issues • Tennis courts are used Nvell into the snow season and nets stay up until impossible to play • Hockev rink Neill remain at least one more year • Vandalism has dropped off considerably • Rust issues and plastic separation on landings on playground equipment still an issue The Commission adjourned the tour at 8:30 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Clare T. Link Recorder Memorandum Re: 13 May Agenda Items 9 May 2014 Status of Park Summit Meetings For the second time, the quarterly park summit meeting was cancelled due to apparent lack of interest. The Commission needs to discuss the future of this effort. Review of Park Tours from 7 May i i We will discuss last Tuesday's park tours and upcoming tours. Freeman Park Community Garden Water Cost Estimate Staff met with a representative of Westonka Sewer and Water and hopes to have their cost estimate for the water service to the community gardens in time for Tuesday night's meeting. Cc: Laura Hotvet S G i C i i 4 -2- «(4 Why Are Pollinators Important? • One in three bites of food is reliant on honey bee pollination and threats to pollinators concern the entire food system. • A May 2013 report by USDA finds that pollination is valued at $20 to $30 billion annually. A single beekeeper pollinat- ing almonds, blueberries, pumpkins, apples, and cherries can contribute an estimated $5 million value to the agricul- tural economy. Pesticides Harm Pollinators • Neonicotinoids— including, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid —are a class of insecticides that are highly toxic to honey bees and other pollinators. They are systemic, meaning that they are taken up by a plant's vascular system and expressed through pollen, nectar, and guttation droplets from which pees forage and drink. • Neonicotinoids are particularly dangerous because, in addition to being acutely toxic in high doses, chronic low dose exposures can also result in serious sublethal effects. • Neonicotinoid exposure can disrupt bees' reproduction, mobility, navigation, feeding, foraging, memory, learning, and overall hive activity. These chemicals are also suspected of affecting honey bees' immune systems, making them more vulnerable to parasites and pathogens. During the 2012/2013 winter, beekeepers reported on average, bee losses over 45 percent and as high as 70 percent. • Neonicotinoids also harm wild pollinators like butterflies, bumblebees, and other beneficial organisms. In June 2013, tree application of the neonicofinoid dinotefuran killed over 50,000 bumblebees in Oregon. Regulatory Failures • EPA granted conditional registration to the neonicofinoid Recent Research Highlights Risks clothianidin in 2003 without a required field study for honey In January 2013, the European Food Safety bees. Over a decade later, EPA continues to allow the use of clothianidin, while trying to mitigate hazards with product label amendments. A regulatory review of neonicotinoids will not conclude until 2018, with an action plan to be developed some- time thereafter. • In March 2013, beekeepers, environmental, and consumer groups filed suit against EPA for its failure to protect pollinators from clothianidin and thiamethoxam —shown to be highly toxic to bees, citing regulatory failures and label deficiencies. • In April 2013, the European Union (EU) instituted a two -year ban on the use of three neonicotinoids following an EU- commis- Authority determined that the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam pose unacceptable risks to bees, prompting an EU -wide ban. • A 2013 study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology revealed that honey bees exposed to imidacloprid were less likely to form long -term memory required for remembering food locations. sioned report documenting their toxicity to bees. Published in the Bulletin of Insectology, a 2013 • In May 2013, EPA released a report recommending further study found that honey bees exposed to research on the role of parasites, disease, genetics, poor nutri- clothianidin had less success of finding their lion and pesticides on honey bee health, but presented no long- way home to their hives. term sustainable solutions to address the current bee crisis. BEYOND PESTICIDES THE CENTER FOR � d Protecting health and the Enuironmentwilh Science, Polity and Action _ www.beVondpesticides.org FOOD SAFETY JK0 4�, PLANTS FOR MINNESOTA BEES Bees rely on flowers to supply them with the food they need to survive. Sorne flowers (e.g. tomatoes) provide only pollen, the main source of protein for bees. Other flowers (e.g. clovers) provide both nectar and pollen, thus providing both protein and carbohydrates. There are hundreds of different bee species in Minnesota. Different types of bees prefer different flowers. Some of these preferences are due to the physical size or shape of the bees and the flowers. Some flowers have long tubes with nectar at the bottom. Long - tongued bees are the only bees able to reach the nectar. Other preferences are based on nutritional needs. Some bees are only able to raise their young with pollen from particular plants. These bees are called "specialists ". Other bees are "generalists" and will collect pollen from a wide range of plants. There are also seasonal differences in the activity of different bee species. Many bee species forage as adults for only a few weeks out of the year, with different species emerging throughout the spring and summer, into early fall. The rest of the year, the young are developing in nests that are underground or in cavities. Each bee was provided with a pollen ball, a mixture of pollen and nectar, left there by their mother. They will emerge the following season. Many other bee species, including honey bees and bumble bees, are present through the entire spring, summer and early fall. Providing a diverse array of plants will help ensure that you support a diverse array of bee species. Do your best to provide blooming flowers from April to September. www.beelab.umn.edu �o AN i This list is not inclusive of all plants that bees will visit in Minnesota. These are flowers that are particularly attractive to bees and can be easily integrated into most landscapes. = Tree = Herbaceous plant = Shrub 0= Full sun 4 = Part -shade = Shade Early =March to May Mid =June to July Late = August to September Scientific name Common name Habit Sun Native Bloom time Honey bees Other bees Crataegus crits -galli Hawthorn 's 0 X Early X X Geranium maculatum Wild geranium 0 X Early X Penstemon grandiflorus Large beardtounge i 0 X Early X Salix discolor Pussy willow, 0 X Early X X Coreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf coreopsis 000 X Early to Mid X X Hydrophyllum virginianum Virginia waterleaf 000 X Early to Mid X X Lupines perennis Wild lupine 0 4 X Early to Mid X Aruncus dioecus Goatsbeard 0(3* X Mid X X Echinacea angiistifolia Purple coneflower 0 X Mid X X Lobelia siphilitica Blue lobelia 0 1 X Mid X Pycnantheimmi tenuifolium Slender mountain mint 0 X Mid X X Agastache foeniculum Anise hyssop 0 4 X Mid to Late X X Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed 0 4 X Mid to Late X X Borago officinalis Borage 'i 0 4 Mid to Late X X Chamaecrista fasciculata Partridge pea j. 0 X Mid to Late X X Cirsicini discolor Bicolor thistle i 0 X Mid to Late X X Dalea purpurea Purple prairie clover R 0 X Mid to Late X X Eupatorium maculatiim Joe -pye weed i 0 4 X Mid to Late X X Eupatorium. perfoliatum Common boneset 0 4 X Mid to Late X X Heliaiithus spp. Sunflowers 040 X Mid to Late X X Hylotelephium telephium Autumn joy sedum 4 0 Mid to Late X X Impatiens capensis Jewelweed 0 X Mid to Late X X Liatris aspera Rough blazingstar 0 4 X Mid to Late X X Monarda fistulosa Beebalm ' 0 X Mid to Late X X Nepeta x faassenii Catmint 0 4 Mid to Late X X Origanum vulgare Oregano 0 4 Mid to Late X X Ratibida pinnata Yellow coneflower j 0 X Mid to Late X Silphium perfoliatiim Cup plant 0 X Mid to Late X X Trifolium hybridum Alsike clover f 0 4 Mid to Late X X Vernonia fasiculata Ironweed 0 X Mid to Late X X Veronicastrima virginicum Culver's root i 0 4 X Mid to Late X Solidago rigida Stiff goldenrod * 0 4 X Late X X Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Calico aster ' 0 X Late X X Content and design by Elaine Evans Neonicotinoids in Your Garden Jennifer Hopwood and Matthew Shepherd Gardens can be of great value for bees and other pollinators, providing nectar, pollen, caterpillar host plants, and bee nest sites. In recent years an increasing number of researchers and citizen sci- entists have surveyed bees in suburban and urban gardens across the United States and consistently they come back with records of dozens of species, even from community gardens in the Bronx and Last Harlem in the heart of New York City. While usually they find com- mon species, sometimes they've been surprised —the imperiled rusty - patched bumble bee (Borribus a ffiriis), for in- stance, has been spotted by citizen sci- entists several times over the past three years in rural and suburban gardens in 4 r Illinois. Gardens can clearly support significant communities of bees, and, although they comprise only a small fraction of most landscapes, the ben- efits from these garden bees can spill over onto nearby farmland. Scientists in Britain have found that agricultural crops within half a mile of gardens are more likely to receive visits from bumble bees than are those further away. Unfortunately, the value of gardens for sustaining pollinator populations can be drastically limited by the use of pesticides, insecticides in particular. While there are a number of ways to manage garden pests, commonly used garden pesticides can kill the "good" insects, even when applied according Gardens can provide valuable habitat for a wide variety of insects. Metallic sweat bee (Agapostemon), photographed by Mace Vaughan. 22 WINGS The common buckeye (Junonia coenia) is one of a wide range of butterfly species that regularly frequent gardens. Photograph by Bryan E. Reynolds. to the instructions on the label. Faced with well- stocked shelves of pesticides at stores and garden centers, many gar- deners discover that deciding which one to pick can be tricky. For the health and wellbeing of pollinating insects, avoid- ing pesticides altogether may be the best option, but the fact is that many garden- ers do employ pesticides. Among the most widely used gar- den insecticides are the neonicotinoids, a group of seven chemicals that have re- cently been the subject of media scru- tiny. Lauded by some as a breakthrough in pest control, neonicotinoids are de- nounced by others as the cause of a new "silent spring." These insecticides with the tongue - twisting name are a synthetic modifi- cation of nicotine, a highly toxic plant compound once commonly used as a pesticide. First introduced into the U. S. market in the mid - 1990x, neonicotinoids were rapidly adopted for agricultural use as well as for ornamental plants growing in commercial nurseries, and they have become a ubiquitous presence on store shelves as the number of garden prod- ucts containing them has expanded. Neonicotinoids are systemic chem- icals: taken up through various plant parts, they may then be distributed throughout plant tissues. This systemic action means that the chemicals can be applied to plants in a variety of ways —as a seed coating, as a soil drench around the base of a plant, by trunk injection, dissolved in irrigation water, as a spray to leaves. Whichever method is used, the pesticide is absorbed by the plant as it grows, making the plant tissues them- selves toxic to sap - sucking insects such as aphids or plant bugs and to leaf- chewing caterpillars or beetles. One oft - touted advantage of neo- nicotinoids over older pesticides is their lower toxicity to humans and other mammals (although unlike nonsystem- TALL 2012 23 Systemic insecticides are absorbed by a plant and spread through all its parts, in- cluding the nectar drunk by butterflies. American lady (Vanessa virginiensis), pho- tographed by Bryan E. Reynolds. is products, they cannot be washed off of the fruit you eat). Another advantage is that they may be applied in a very tar- geted manner, reducing potential expo- sure to many types of non - target insects that would contact a broadcast spray. In one example of such an application, growing corn plants absorb the insecti- cide from coated seeds rather than the field of corn being sprayed, thus elimi- nating a broadcast spray that could expose non -pest insects in the process (although, on the other hand, dust re- leased from equipment during planting poses a risk to bees and other non - target insects). Unfortunately, although sys- temic applications may be claimed to be "safe" for non - target insect life, the toxins are present in pollen and nectar as well as in the rest of the plant, pos- ing a threat to such flower - visiting in- sects as bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles, and flies. Neonicotinoids are toxic to a num- ber of beneficial insects, but the danger they pose to honey bees has drawn the most attention, given the recent large - scale losses of these domesticated pol- linators. Some beekeepers and many in the environmental community consider neonicotinoids to be responsible for the phenomenon known as "colony collapse disorder." In recent years a variety of journalists, documentary filmmakers, and organizations have expressed this opinion, often in quite strong terms, despite the fact that numerous scien- tific studies implicate a range of factors, including several pathogens and a lack of floral diversity in the landscape. In order to better understand the scientific evidence, the Xerces Society recently undertook a review of the research, both that which has been published in high - profile journals and internal stud- ies produced by insecticide industry sci- entists. Are 11ieonicotinoids Killing Bees? a summary of our review, was released by Xerces this spring. It is clear that neonicotinoids fed to bees in laboratory settings can kill them outright, but it is unclear how often neo- nicotinoids reach lethal levels in pollen and nectar in the field or garden. As one might expect, though, _the .amount of chemical that can be found in pollen and nectar is related to the amount ap- plied to the plant, and, in products in- tended for agriculture, restrictions limit neonieotinoid application to quantities 24 WINGS that typically result in sublethal levels being present in pollen and nectar. Still, although they don't kill, these smaller doses can affect the ability of bees to fly or navigate, impair their sense of taste, hamper their foraging activity, and re- duce their ability to reproduce. 'These effects may impact individual solitary bees or combine to influence the over- all health of bumble bee or honey bee colonies. For example, recent research from France found that honey bees fed a sub- lethal dose had more difficulty find- ing their way back to their hive, and scientists in Britain found that bumble bee colonies fed very low doses of neo- nicotinoid -laced sugar water produced significantly fewer queens. While both of these studies were criticized for using doses higher than those that would be found in crops from treated seed, a growing body of research indicates that harmful but sublethal levels are routine- ly applied to crops that bees visit and that these might be negatively affecting bee populations. Even more worrisome, and far more overlooked, are the levels of pesticides that are permitted in home gardens. Particularly notable are industry stud- ies that have found extremely high levels of neonicotinoids in ornamental flowering shrubs and trees that are at- tractive to bees. Home garden products containing neonicotinoids can legally be applied in far greater concentrations in gardens than they can be on farms — sometimes at concentrations as much as 120 times as great —which increases the risk to pollinators. Pesticide companies themselves found that, when applied in the amounts suggested on the labels, some neonicotinoids could continue As adults, flower flies feed on nectar or pollen; as larvae, they may eat aphids or other soft - bodied insects that are often considered garden pests. They can be exposed to neonicotinoids through all of these food sources. Flower fly (Eupeodes), photographed by Rollin Coville. FALL 2012 25 All but one of these garden insecticides contain neonicotinoids, and none of the labels indicate that they are poisonous to bees and adu It butterflies. Photograph by Matthew Shepherd. to be present in flowers at lethal levels eighteen months after application. But homeowners may not even be aware of the risk the use of these products poses. The labels of many of the products now on garden center shelves do not men- tion the toxicity of the products to bees, nor do they suggest ways to limit expo- sure to bees, such as by applying them only to non- flowering plants or after the plants have bloomed. Efforts are underway to change the way neonicotinoids are labeled and regulated. Xerces is working with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations to develop new methods for testing the effects of insec- ticides on native bees — creatures that have been routinely ignored throughout the history of the pesticide regulation process —and to establish better assess- ment protocols. Still, it will take some years for any revisions to filter through the system and change the products that are for sale. What you apply to your garden, though, is something that you have di- rect control over.'I'o determine whether a pesticide contains a neonicotinoid, re- view the ingredients before you buy. Im- idacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam are all neonicoti- noids found in home garden products. Much harder to control is the lingering presence of pesticides that have been ap- plied to plants months before they reach your garden. There have been reports of dead bees —both honey bees and bum- ble bees— around commercially grown hanging baskets, and there is reason for concern about monarch caterpil- lars being affected by eating nursery - bought milkweed. Obviously, nurseries are applying pesticides to protect their 26 WINGS investment; most people don't want to buy a ragged- looking plant, in the same way that they choose spotless fruit over blemished. When, however, this prefer- ence harms wildlife in gardens separat- ed by distance and time from where the plant was grown, it is clear that we must find new ways to nurture plants grown for sale. Again, before you buy, take a moment to ask the garden center staff if they know whether the plants were treated with neonicotinoids. Wildlife gardening is a well- estab- lished movement. It seems that every neighborhood has people encouraging wildlife into their yards.. Choosing the best plants to attract butterflies, build- ing bird houses and bee blocks, and cre- ating ponds or log piles to provide shel- ter for frogs and myriad other small crea- tures are all effective ways to support a wide range of wildlife, and generations of gardeners have enjoyed beautiful gar- dens that are free of chemical threats. Systemic insecticides add an unfortu- nate additional layer of complexity for gardeners wanting to create a safe haven for insects and other wildlife, but with care the danger can be minimized or avoided. Jennifer Hopwood is the Xerces Society's pollinator conservation specialist for the Midwest region. Matthew Shepherd worked in the Society's pollinator conservation pro- gram for several years and is now Xerces' cornrnunications director. Are Neonicotinoids Killing Bees? A Review of Research into the Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Bees, with Recommendations for Action is available from the Xerces Society. Visit www.xerces. orgfneonicotinoids- and -bees/ to download a free PDT file or call 1 -855- 232 -6639 to purchase a copy. IL L . , .,A As •' , - / \ A Al H LN l ;' 7 Gardens are being created across the country to provide habitat for butterflies and bees. The Xerces Society offers information about creating such plots, as well as signs to raise awareness of the importance of pollinator habitat. Photograph by Celeste Ets- Hokin. PALL 2012 27 "Bee -Safe City" Resolution for Shorewood, MN Whereas, bees and other pollinators are responsible for at least a third of the food we eat; and Whereas, we have a wide diversity of food: fruits, nuts and vegetables thanks to the great diversity of wild bees and honey bees; and Whereas, all bees (native bees and honey bees) are in a grave situation because of habitat loss, pesticides, pathogens and parasites; and Whereas, pesticides, especially systemic pesticides, are a key contributor to Colony Collapse Disorder, and they are unavoidable for foraging bees; and Whereas, in the fall of 2013, thousands of bees from two neighborhood hives in Minneapolis were killed by a legal pesticide application; and Whereas, systemic pesticides are not consistent with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) best practices and pose particular risks by their chronic exposure to bees and other beneficial insects; and Whereas, ideal pollinator - friendly habitat: • provides diverse and abundant nectar and pollen from plants blooming in succession • is comprised of both native species and garden species of annual and perennial flowers, shrubs and trees • includes, where possible, designated pollinator zones in public spaces with signage to educate the public and build awareness; and Whereas, it is essential that municipal staff and the public understand the vital role that bees and all pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them; THEREFORE, be it resolved that the City Council of Shorewood, Minnesota adopt this resolution to become a Bee -Safe City by agreeing to: 1. Turn public spaces into Bee -Safe areas 2. Plant pesticide -free flowers 3. No Spraying of the Bee Food (not on it, not near it) 4. Educate All Citizens of Shorewood About Bees: their gifts and needs 5. Begin this spring to implement this resolution 6. Publish a "Bee -Safe City Progress Report" each spring February 24, 2014 www.hummingforbees.org -with input from beecityusa.org (((;, 0 ) CENTER FOP, FOOD SAFETY H E L P im -'-6 ro,�' " --I I . APRIL 2013 oOK1N6 To HELP honey bees and other important pollinators? One of the best ways to support healthy hives and pollinator protection is to provide ample foraging. Keeping a garden that provides not just nectar, pollen, and habitats, but also refrains from using toxic pesticides will go a long way towards helping bees and other pollinators. The most widely used garden insecticides are a class of chemicals called neonicotinoids. Below is a list of common home and garden products containing neonicotinoids. To keep your lawn and garden happy, healthy, and teeming with life for pollinators, you should avoid the following products: 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 2.940 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed (Concentrate) Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 1.470 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed (Granules) 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed II (Granules) 12 Month Tree & Shrub Protect & Feed II (Granules) Bayer Advanced Bayer Advanced Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid Imidacloprid Clothianidin Imidacloprid Clothianidin 1.100 0.550 0.275 0.740 0.370 2 -In -1 Insect Control Plus Fertilizer Plant Spikes Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 2.500 2 -In-1 Systemic Rose & Flower Care Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.220 3 -In -1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control (Ready -to- Spray) Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.012 3 -In -1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control (Ready -to -Use and Concentrate) Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.470 All -In -One Rose & Flower Care Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.150 All -In -One Rose & Flower Care Granules Bayer Advanced Clothianidin Imidacloprid 0.050 0.110 ALOFTO Gc Sc Insecticide Arysta LifeScience Clothianidin 24.700 ALOFTO Lc G Insecticide Arysta LifeScience Clothianidin 0.250 ALOFT@ Lc Sc Insecticide Arysta LifeScience Clothianidin 24.700 ARENAO .25 G Insecticide Valent U.S.A. Corporation Clothianidin 25.000 ARENA@ 50 WDG Insecticide Valent U.S.A. Corporation Clothianidin 50.000 Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf (Granules) Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.150 Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf (Ready -to -Spray and Concentrate) Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.720 Criterion`" 0.5 G Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 0.500 Criterion'" 2F Insecticide Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 21.400 Criterion'" 75 WSP Systemic Insecticide Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 75.000 DIY Tree Care Products Multi- Insect Killer ArborSystems Imidacloprid 5.000 Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.012 Ferti -lome@ 2 -N -1 Systemic Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc. Imidacloprid 0.150 Flagship'" 0.22 G Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC Thiamethoxam 0.220 Flagship- 25 WG Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC Thiamethoxam 25.000 Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.235 Green LightO Grub Control with Arena@ Insecticide The Scotts Company Clothianidin 0.250 Green Light@ Tree & Shrub Insect Control with Safari@ 2 G Insecticide The Scotts Company Dinotefuran 2.000 Lesco Bandit Insecticide 0.5 G Bayer Environmental Science t' "I rci _311:0 9 0.500 Hi Yield® Systemic Insect Spray Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc. Imidacloprid 1.470 Hunter ,5 G Insecticide Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 0.500 Hunter 75 WSP Insecticide Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 75.000 Knockout Ready -to -Use Grub Killer Granules Gro Tec, Inc. Imidacloprid 0.200 Lesco Bandit 2F Insecticide Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 21.400 Lesco Bandit Insecticide 0.5 G Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 0.500 Lesco Bandit Insecticide 75 WSP Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 75.000 Mallet@ 0.5 G Insecticide Nufarm Americas Inc. Imidacloprid 0.500 Mallet@ 2 F T &O Insecticide . Nufarm Americas Inc. Imidacloprid 21.400 MalletO 75 WSP Insecticide Nufarm Americas Inc. Imidacloprid 75.000 Marathon@ 1% Granular OHP, Inc. Imidacloprid 1.000 Marathon@ 60 WP OHP, Inc. Imidacloprid 60.000 Marathon@ II OHP, Inc. Imidacloprid 21.400 Maxide@ Dual Action Insect Killer Concentrate Gulfstream Home and Garden Thiamethoxam 0.400 Maxide@ Dual Action Insect Killer Granules Gulfstream Home and Garden Thiamethoxam 0.200 Meridian@ 0.33 G Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC Thiamethoxam 0.330 Meridian@ 25 WG Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC Thiamethoxam 25.000 Merit@ 0.5 G Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 0.500 Merit@ 2 F Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 21.400 Merit@ 75 WP Insecticide Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 75.000 Merit@ 75 WSP Insecticide Bayer Corporation Imidacloprid 75.000 MeritO Tree Injection Bayer Environmental Science Imidacloprid 17.100 Monterey Once A Year Insect Control Lawn and Garden Products, Inc. Imidacloprid 1.470 Monterey Once A Year Insect Control II Lawn and Garden Products, Inc. Imidacloprid 1.470 Ortho@ Bug B Gon@ Year -Long Tree & Shrub Insect Control The Scotts Company Imidacloprid 1.470 Ortho@ Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer The Scotts Company Acetamiprid 0.006 Ortho@ MAX@ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Ready -to -Spray The Scotts Company Imidacloprid 1.470 Ortho@ Rose & Flower Insect Killer The Scotts Company Acetamiprid 0.006 Safari 2 G Insecticide Valent U.S.A. Corporation Dinotefuran 2.000 Safari 20 SG Insecticide Valent U.S.A. Corporation Dinotefuran 20.000 Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.250 Season -Long Grub Control Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 1.470 SurrenderO GrubZ Out Control Solutions, Inc. Imidacloprid 0.500 Termite Killer Granules Bayer Advanced Imidacloprid 0.370 Transtect- 70WSP Insecticide Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Dinotefuran 70.000 Xytect- 2F Insecticide Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Imidacloprid 21.400 Xytect'" 75WSP Insecticide Rainbow Treecare Scientific Advancements Imidacloprid 75.000 Xytect, Infusible Rainbow Treecare Scientific Imidacloprid 5.000 Advancements Zylam@ 20 SG Systemic Turf Insecticide PBI /Gordon Corporation Dinotefuran 20.000 LIST MAY NOT INCLUDE ALL HOME AND GARDEN PRODUCTS CONTAINING NEONICOTINOIDS NATIONAL OFFICE: 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Suite 302, Washington, DC 20003 CALIFORNIA OFFICE: 303 Sacramento St., 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111 NORTHWEST OFFICE: 917 SW Oak Street, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205 For more information visit www.centerforfoodsafety.org Why Congress Should Care About the Beepocalypse I Commentary • By Rep. John Conyers Jr. and Michael Shank ROLL CALL April 7,2014,4:41 p.m. • http: / /www.rollcall.com /news /why congress should care about the beepocalypse commentary- 231980- 1.html This year, food security is set to suffer another big setback, and the culprit could not be cuter: honeybees. Last winter, America's beekeeping industry lost nearly half of all its bee colonies. And the numbers keep falling. Last summer, in the largest bee kill on record, more than 50,000 bumblebees were killed in Oregon as a direct result of exposure to an insecticide applied to trees for cosmetic purposes. The killing has gotten so bad that people are calling it a beepocalypse. This is a serious situation. One -third of the food produced in North America depends on pollination by our honeybees. Nearly 100 varieties of fruits depend on honeybee pollination, from almonds (which are California's third - largest export) to avocados to apples to cranberries. If America loses the bees, our country will lose these industries as well, the result of which would be a serious blow to our economic and food security. The annual economic value of pollinators, including honeybees, is $190 billion globally and $20 billion to $30 billion in agricultural production in the United States. This devastating trend is not unique to the United States, however. Earlier last year, the European Union ratcheted up its emergency response to the dying bee population, suspending for two years the use of neonicotinoids — insecticides initially developed by Shell and Bayer and largely responsible for the beepocalypse — on its agricultural crops. The EU understands the scientific link between systemic neonicotinoid insecticides and the rapid decline of pollinators and pollinator health. That is no longer the question. It's now purely a question of political will. America, then, must act fast if we want to save our bees, our food and our economic productivity. We are losing honeybee colonies in record numbers, and 2013 set a new record low for honey produced in the United States. Just look at the numbers. Prior to 2006, when insecticide use was less prolific, summer colony losses were hovering at fewer than 5 percent and winter losses were at 17 percent. Every year since 2006, however, annual colony losses have been averaging 30 percent. And for some veteran beekeepers, it's wiping out 100 percent of his bee hive operations year after year. This is not sustainable. At this rate, America will have no honeybee population, and the Department of Agriculture estimates that honeybee colonies survival rates are too low to be able to meet pollination demands of U.S. agriculture crops. Going forward, saving America's pollinators must be an immediate priority for us. As Jeff Pettis of the USDA's Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Laboratory noted in a congressional briefing recently, reducing pesticide use on bee - attractive crops and by homeowners would be a good start. Additionally, America should also follow Europe's lead with a two -year ban on these insecticides. (Germany and Italy have banned them for several years already.) Legislation in Congress — introduced by Conyers and Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D -Ore. — would do this very thing saving our honeybees, our food supply and America's economic interdependence with these threatened pollinators. This work at the federal level, combined with efforts such as the Center for Food Safety's BEE Protective Campaign, might save our pollinators from the beepocalypse — but only if we act now. With bee numbers declining by more than 30 percent every year, every moment matters. Our food and our economy depend on these little bees. Kill them off, and we cut off a critical lifeline. Keep them alive, and we survive. Rep. John Conyers Jr., D- Mich., is ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee; Michael Shank is associate director for legislative affairs at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. https• /takeaction take part. com /acdons f save -our- bees - and - Food - from - toxic- pesticides Please support H.R. 2692, the Saving America's Pollinators Act, introduced by Rep. John Conyers and Rep. Earl Blumenauer. This bill would protect bees by requiring the EPA to suspend the use of four of the pesticides belonging to the neonieotinoid class until their safety can be determined. It would also charge the EPA with monitoring bee health. Seven Winters of Unacceptable Colony Loss: What Will Winter Number Eight Look Like? —Dr. Maria Spivak Cj,_S.�3 Managed honey bee colony INFORMED losses In the US iA 0 Z J1,., mortality as .3: 0 0 W ,.� Acceptable tap go ::� -From University of MN Bee Squad Bulletin, Happy 2014 The graph above shows the percent total colony winter loss in the US over the last 7 years. Survey participants include both commercial and hobby beekeepers across the US. Each year, the Bee Informed Partnership (www. bee informed.org) surveys beekeepers in an effort to monitor the winter losses of the approximately 2.62 million colonies in the US. This graph is complied with the data from these surveys. In fact, backyard beekeepers suffer higher colony losses compared to commercial beekeepers because many backyard beekeepers are inexperienced or they do not want to treat colonies for Varroa mites. 6 [ -rla4e lk, k:7(ZV4, Ld010, - )oe,C)V,3 The e aC' 7Z `I Bees and other pollinators are essential for the two - thirds of the food crops humans eat everyday. However, the health and produc- tivity of honey bees, bumblebees, and other pollinators are in great peril, and populations are dwindling worldwide. Concerned citizens have responded by planting "bee-friendly" gardens to provide urban foraging grounds. Unfortunately, as our new study shows, many of the bee - attractive nursery plants sold at top retailers in the U.S. contain persistent, systemic neonicotinoid insecticides that have been shown to impair the health and survival of bees and other vulnerable pollinators. Although population losses have been linked to multiple factors — including Varroa mite infestations, pathogens, malnutrition and habitat degradation — a strong and grow- ing body of scientific evidence suggests that neonicotinoid pesticides are a major contrib- uting factor. Neonicotinoids, manufactured by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta, are the fastest- growing class of synthetic pesticides. The neonicotinoid imidacloprid — introduced in 1994 — is the most widely used insecticide in the world. Neonicotinoids are used as seed treatments on more than 140 crops, with www.BeeActioii.org virtually all corn, soy, wheat, and canola seeds planted in the U.S. being pretreated with ne- onicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are systemic pesticides that are taken up through roots and leaves and distributed throughout the entire plant, in- cluding pollen and nectar. These pesticides can poison bees directly, but even low -level exposure can lead to sublethal effects such as a compromised immune system, altered learn- ing, and impaired foraging, effectively exac- erbating the lethality of infections and infes- tations. Unfortunately, home gardeners have no idea they may actually be poisoning pollinators r through their efforts to plant bee - friendly t gardens. F Friends of the Earth conduct- ed a pilot study to determine the extent of ne- onicotinoid contamination of common nursery plants purchased at retail garden centers in cit- ies across the U.S. This is the first investigation of neonicotinoid insecticide concentrations in "bee- friendly" nursery plants sold to consum- ers at garden centers in cities across America. The findings indicate that bee - friendly nursery plants sold at U.S. retailers may contain sys- temic pesticides at levels that are high enough to cause adverse effects on bees and other pollinators — with no warning to consumers. The plants included in this pilot study were purchased from major nursery outlets and garden centers including Home Depot, Lowe's, and Orchard Supply Hardware in three dif- ferent locations across the country: the San Francisco Bay area of California; the Wash- ington, DC area; and the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The collected plant samples were submitted to an independent accredited an- alytical laboratory to identify specific neonic- otinoids and quantify their concentrations in whole plant material. Findings include: ® Neonicotinoid residues were detected in seven out of thirteen samples (54 percent) of commercial nursery plants. In the samples with detections, concentrations ranged from 11 to 1,500 micrograms per kilogram (pg /kg or parts per billion) of plant material. The high percentage of contaminated plants and their neonicotinoid concentrations sug- gest that this problem is widespread, and that many home gardens have likely become a source of exposure for bees. For the samples with positive detections, adverse effects on bees and other pollina- tors are possible, ranging from sublethal effects on navigation, fertility, and immune function to bee death. This pilot study points to the need for further studies in order to provide a statistical picture of the scope of nursery plant contamination with neonicotinoid insecticides. Larger sample sizes with sufficient plant material to directly measure pollen and nectar concentrations of neonicotinoids in plants treated with both foli- ar and soil applications would help to clarify some of the questions raised by this prelim- inary work. Additional studies that measure the distribution of neonicotinoid pesticides in different plant parts over time for differ- ent pesticides, plants and soil types are also necessary to enable prediction of pesticide concentrations in pollen and nectar. The bulk of available scientific literature sug- gests that neonicotinoids are a substantial contributing factor to the decline of pollinator populations. As a result of this growing body of evidence, the European Commission recent- ly announced a suspension on the use of three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) on flowering plants attractive to bees in European Union countries, effective December 1, 2013. Unfortunately, U.S. EPA has been slow to adequately address the threats to pollinators posed by neonicotinoids, delaying any meaningful action until 2018 when these chemicals are scheduled to enter the Registra- tion review process. Although U.S. EPA has not yet taken action, there is still much that can be done to pro- tect bees. friends of the Earth U.S. is asking consumers, retailers, suppliers, institutional purchasers and local, county, state and federal regulators and policymakers to take action to avoid neonicotinoid pesticides to help protect bees and other pollinators. Recommendations for garden retailers- Do not sell off -the -shelf neonicotinoid in- sectieides for home garden use. © Demand neonicotinoid -free vegetable- and bedding plants from suppliers and do not sell plants pre - treated with these pesticides. Friends of the Earth Offer third -party certified organic starts and plants. Educate your customers on why your com- pany has made the decision to protect bees and other pollinators. Recommendations for wholesale nursery operations supplying retailers- Use only untreated seeds for plants grown from seed. Do not use neonicotinoid insecticide soil drenches, granules, or foliar treatments when growing vegetable and bedding plants. o Offer neonicotinoid -free and organic vege- table and bedding plants to your customers and label them as such. Inform your customers about why your nursery operation made the choice to limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. ® If quarantine regulations require use of systemic insecticides on certain plants that are hosts for invasive pests, treat only those plants, and minimize the number of treat- ments. Use pest exclusion systerns wherev- er possible to avoid having to treat plants. Recommendations for horse gardeners and institutional purchasers (such as schools, universities, private companies, hospitals, and others): ® Stop using all neonicotinoid insecticides on your property and facilities (e.g. land- scaping around parking lots, grounds and gardens) and only plant neonicotinoid -free plants. ® Ask landscaping companies that service your grounds and trees to not use neonico- tinoids or pretreated plants. www,BeeAction.org Recommendations for cities, counties and states, Stop using all neonicotinoid insecticides on city- and county -owned property, including schools, parks and gardens. Require that bee -toxic pesticides be prom- inently labeled as such in displays or these chemicals at hardware stores and nurseries. Ban the use of neonicotinoids and other insecticides for cosmetic purposes on orna- mental and landscape plants, like the ban now in force in Ontario, Canada. Recommendations for the U.S. EPA, Cancel cosmetic and other unnecessary uses of neonicotinoid pesticide products. Require. a bee hazard statement on the label of all pesticides containing systemic pesticides toxic to pollinators, not just the foliar use products. © Prioritize the systemic insecticides for Reg- istration Review starting in 2013, and ensure inclusion of the independent science on the short- and long -term effects of pesticides on pollinators. Expedite the development and implemen- tation of valid test guidelines for sublethal effects of pesticides on pollinators and require- data from these studies for all cur- rently registered and any new pesticides. Recommendations for congress: Support and pass H.R. 2692, the Save Amer- ica's Pollinators Act, introduced by Repre- sentatives John Conyers (D, Mich.) and Carl Blumenauer (D, Ore.). This legislation will suspend seed treatment, soil application, or foiiar uses of certain neonicotinoid pesti- cides on bee - attractive plants until: • all of the scientific evidence is reviewed by US CPA, and • field studies can be done to evaluate both short- and long -term effects of these pesticides on pollinators. Recommendations for consumers. Take action. Join the Friends of the Earth BeeAction campaign at www.BeeAction. org and sign our petition to garden retailers asking that they stop selling neonicotinoid treated plants and products that contain neonicotinoids. You can also contact your member of Congress and encourage them to support the Save America's Pollinators Act. You can find an action kit and bee - friendly garden tips at www.BeeAction.org. © Raise your voice locally. Let your local nursery manager know that you will only purchase plants free of neonicotinoids and ask the manager to communicate your request to their corporate headquarters and suppliers who grow the plants they sell. Find a sample letter and more ideas for action at www.BeeAction.org. 6-mow bee -safe. Purchase organic plant starts or grow your plants from untreated seeds in organic potting soil for your home vegetable and flower gardens. © Practice bee -safe pest control. Avoid the use of systemic bee -toxic pesticides in your garden (see Appendix A) and use alternative approaches such as providing habitat to attract beneficial insects that prey on pest insects in your garden. If pest pressure is too high, use insecticidal soaps or oils and other e-co- friendly pest control products. For more tips and links to more resources for pollinator and eco- friendly gardening, visit www.BeeAction.org. ® Do not buy products that contain neon - icotinolds: Dead the label and avoid using off -the -shelf neonicotinoid insecticides in your garden. These products contain ac- etamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam as active ingredients. See Appendix A at the end of this report for a list of common off -the -shelf neonicotinoid plant treatments and the neonicotinoids they contain. Do a clean sweep. See if you have these products at home and dispose of them properly or take them back to the store where you bought them. Friends of the Earth