Wildlife Biologist's NATURE-FIRST Approach to Landscaping & Home Design — Ep. 269

Flock Finger Lakes79 minutes read

Sam Drogi, a wildlife biologist, creates a nature-first landscape around his 1920s home to attract specialist bee populations through specific plantings and habitat provision. The focus is on enhancing biodiversity and supporting native pollinators crucial for efficient pollination in specific plant species.

Insights

  • Sam Drogi, a wildlife biologist, focuses on attracting specialist bee populations through natural landscaping techniques, emphasizing the importance of creating wild areas near the house and using materials like stones and wood to provide habitats for various creatures.
  • Specialist pollinators like bees have evolved with specific plants over millions of years, requiring large plant populations for survival and emphasizing the need to plant specialist pollinator plants in landscapes. Bees disperse over long distances, relying on color-based traps for attraction and specific plant species for sustenance, showcasing the critical role of native pollinators in efficient pollination compared to other insects.

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Recent questions

  • How can I attract specialist bee populations?

    To attract specialist bee populations, focus on creating a landscape that seamlessly merges with natural surroundings. Incorporate a variety of plants crucial for specialist bees, like chokeberry and willows. Leave materials like stones, old roofing panels, and logs in the landscape to provide habitats for bees and other creatures. Emphasize creating wild areas closest to your house to effectively attract wildlife. Additionally, consider planting specialist pollinator plants like pontederia, which bees rely on for survival. By creating a nature-first approach landscape with specific plant populations and habitats, you can attract specialist bee populations successfully.

  • What is the importance of specialist pollinator plants?

    Specialist pollinator plants are crucial for the survival and sustenance of specialist bee populations. Bees rely on specific plants like pontederia for their survival, as they have evolved over millions of years with these plants. These specialist plants require minimal pollen and nectar to sustain baby bees, emphasizing the importance of planting them in landscapes. Bees have a limited range when searching for their specific plant species, flying until they find it or perish, making the presence of specialist pollinator plants essential for their survival. By planting these specific plants, you can support specialist bee populations and enhance pollination efficiency in your landscape.

  • How can I effectively manage deer pressure in my garden?

    To effectively manage deer pressure in your garden, consider selectively hunting territorial female deer to reduce garden damage. By targeting territorial females, you can help control the deer population and minimize the impact on your garden. Additionally, you can implement physical barriers like fences or plant deer-resistant plants to deter deer from entering your garden. Creating a landscape that attracts wildlife away from your garden can also help reduce deer pressure. By combining hunting strategies with physical barriers and landscape design, you can effectively manage deer pressure in your garden.

  • What are some strategies to attract woodpeckers to my landscape?

    To attract woodpeckers to your landscape, consider leaving rotting wood stumps and logs in your yard to provide habitats for these creatures. Woodpeckers are attracted to decaying wood for nesting and foraging purposes. Additionally, you can create clay and straw bale structures that mimic natural nesting sites for woodpeckers. By providing suitable habitats and nesting sites, you can attract woodpeckers to your landscape. Keep in mind that woodpeckers may damage nests to extract baby bees, so periodic repairs may be necessary to maintain their presence in your yard.

  • How can I support native pollinators in my garden?

    To support native pollinators in your garden, focus on planting specific pollinator plants like shrubby willows and other tree and herbaceous species. These plants are crucial for attracting specialist native pollinators like bees. By creating a diverse landscape with different plant communities that bloom at different times, you can support a variety of native bee populations. Additionally, consider managing your meadows by mowing once a year in winter to benefit native bee populations. By creating a habitat that attracts native pollinators through specific plant choices and management strategies, you can enhance biodiversity and support these important insects in your garden.

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Summary

00:00

Attracting Wildlife: A Nature-First Approach

  • Sam Drogi is a wildlife biologist specializing in attracting native specialist bee populations to landscapes.
  • His home, built in the 1920s, is extensively landscaped to attract wildlife, using natural building techniques.
  • The landscape seamlessly merges with surrounding natural lands, aiming for a nature-first approach.
  • Sam emphasizes creating wild areas closest to the house to attract wildlife effectively.
  • Various materials like stones, old roofing panels, and boards are left in the landscape to provide habitats for snakes and other creatures.
  • Sam's property includes a mix of plants like chokeberry and willows, crucial for specialist bee populations.
  • Deer pressure is managed by selectively hunting territorial female deer to reduce garden damage.
  • Rotting wood stumps and logs are left in the landscape to provide habitats for creatures like woodpeckers and specialist bees.
  • Specialist pollinators like bees rely on specific plants like pontederia for their survival, requiring large plant populations for their return.
  • Bees have a limited range when searching for their specific plant species, flying until they find it or perish, emphasizing the importance of planting specialist pollinator plants in landscapes.

15:07

"Bee Behavior and Plant Preferences for Pollination"

  • Bees disperse over long distances, attracted to traps with color-based designs, even in barren areas like salt lakes.
  • Specialist pollinator plants require minimal pollen and nectar, about five flowers' worth, to sustain a baby bee.
  • Specialist bees can process toxins in certain plants, like asters, which repel other insects.
  • Bees primarily ingest nectar, with pollen being consumed by baby bees and potentially adult bees.
  • Honeybees, despite being generalists, have specific plant preferences and may resort to unconventional food sources in scarcity.
  • Plant beds should consist of one species of flower to observe bee visitation and preferences.
  • Planting in arborous chips without newspaper or cardboard can effectively replace traditional lawn removal methods.
  • Specialist plants like Hooka Americana and native lakas are crucial for specific bee species, requiring oil or resin for their brood chambers.
  • Translocating bees may not be beneficial as they may struggle to adapt to new environments, akin to box turtles.
  • Bees like Andrena vespula can form nests in walls, attracting hundreds of nests when conditions are favorable.

29:09

"Native and Non-Native Bees Nesting Methods"

  • Osmia bees nest in old holes of anaf, with some being native and others non-native.
  • Woodpeckers damage nests to extract baby bees, requiring periodic plaster repairs.
  • Clay and straw bale structures attract bees, mimicking natural nesting sites.
  • Non-native species like anthra vula were introduced by USDA for pollination.
  • Native anas bees create mud tubes for nesting, moving locations periodically.
  • Homemade bee nests can be made from bamboo or drilled wood, with specific drill bit sizes.
  • Commercial Mason bee nest operators clean out tubes to manage parasites.
  • Fresh nests can be easily replaced to observe bee activity without maintenance.
  • Specialist pollinators like bees are crucial for efficient pollination compared to other insects.
  • USGS supports projects like specialist bee websites and plant surveys to educate on native pollinators' importance.

43:14

Native Bees: Efficient Pollinators in Agriculture

  • Colony Collapse Disorder affects honeybees due to pathogens from Asia, causing concern over pollination issues.
  • Native bees in the East can substitute honeybees for pollination in some areas.
  • Industrial agriculture heavily relies on honeybees for pollination, especially evident in the Almond crop.
  • Commercial honeybees are transported extensively across the country for various crop pollination needs.
  • Native bees are increasingly considered as viable pollinators for crops like blueberries, cranberries, and apples.
  • Native bees, like bumblebees, are more efficient pollinators compared to honeybees due to their pollen distribution methods.
  • Blueberries and cranberries require buzz pollination, a task efficiently performed by native bee species.
  • Specialist bees have evolved with specific plants over millions of years, enhancing pollination efficiency.
  • Carpenter bees, native to softwoods, create nests in structures like benches and decks, preferring softer woods for nesting.
  • Carpenter bees are territorial, with females doing the nesting work and males defending territories, posing minimal structural damage risks but attracting woodpeckers over time.

58:19

"Native Bees: Nesting, Pollination, and Conservation"

  • The Death's Head Borer is a slow insect with distinctive patterning on its back.
  • The life cycle of bees involves gathering pollen and nectar, depositing them in a hole, laying eggs, and walling them off.
  • Bees can emerge from their cells in a different order than expected due to various factors.
  • Creating shallow holes for bees to nest in is recommended to prevent conflicts among siblings.
  • Providing bee homes using wood with drilled holes or straws can attract bees effectively.
  • Leaving bare patches of dirt or sand can serve as nesting grounds for native bees.
  • Managing meadows by mowing once a year in winter can benefit native bee populations.
  • Non-native plants like mock orange can attract specialist pollinators, even if their native counterparts are rare.
  • Plants like apples and cherries, both native and non-native, can serve as valuable food sources for bees.
  • Breeding crop plants for traits like bigger blooms can inadvertently reduce their attractiveness to pollinators.

01:13:36

Attracting Birds and Bees for Biodiversity

  • Sunflower originated from the Far Western Plains, a dry area where only native Prairie could grow.
  • Peanuts were grown in the area, attracting birds, leading to the creation of bird feeders.
  • Building a habitat to attract birds involves planting various plants to create a bird-friendly environment.
  • Specialist native pollinators are attracted by planting specific pollinator plants, including shrubby Willows and other tree and herbaceous species.
  • Forest bees thrive in areas with disturbances like fire, historically managed by Native Americans and colonists.
  • Different plant communities attract specialist bees, with specific plants blooming at different times to support bee populations.
  • Forest edges with light are ideal for bee activity, while closed canopy areas wait for disturbances to open up for bee activity.
  • Management strategies like burning the yard or creating disturbances can attract specialist pollinators and enhance biodiversity.
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