Pollinator Habitat at Airports Scott Lucas Ohio Department of Transportation presenting on behalf of : Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative
What is the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative? Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) began in 2015. • The purpose of the initiative: • • Create and improve pollinator habitat across the State of Ohio. • Increase and improve pollinator conservation and awareness. The motto is: “All you can, where you can.” • The group has a large number of partners. •
Partners • Pheasants Forever • Ohio Division of Wildlife • US Fish and Wildlife Service • Ohio Department of Agriculture • Various Soil and Water Conservation Districts • And many more…
Why would you want to plant pollinator habitat at an airport? Reduce the number of large bird strikes with • planes • Large birds like Canada geese and different species of gulls tend to avoid tall grass Reduction in carbon footprint • • Prairies absorb about 1 metric ton of carbon per acre according to experts. Save mowing costs • • Once established, prairies only need mowed once a year Last but not least, create habitat for • pollinators
What are the costs for establishing a warm season grass pasture? The initial cost of establishing a warm season grass pasture per acre estimates 16 : Seed costs: $240/ acre 17 • Site prep (tillage): $8-20/ acre (average = $14/ acre) • Site prep (herbicide): $3-13/ acre (average = $8/ acre) • Seeding costs $10-50/ acre (average = $30/ acre) • Weed management $8-27/ acre (average = $18/ acre) • TOTAL COSTS $310 / a cre • 16 Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, “Incorporating Prairies into Multifunctional Landscapes.” August 2011. 17 Estimated price of $240/ acre for seed provided by Pheasants Forever.
Are there grants available for planting pollinator habitat? Opportunities for receiving grants could be available through: NOAA’s grant program • • https:/ / grantsonline.rdc.noaa.gov/ flows/ home/ Login/ LoginController.jpf Partnerships with not-for-profit organizations • • Not-for-profit organizations can apply for grants that for-profit organizations cannot apply for Ohio EPA Educational Program • • http:/ / www.epa.ohio.gov/ oeef/ EnvironmentalEducation.aspx OPHI has resources available for project specific grant programs • • http:/ / www.ophi.info/
Who has planted pollinator plots at airports? The Dayton International Airport has multiple plantings: • 270 acres of tall Native Warm Season Grass Prairies • Switchgrass Plots • Agricultural fields • Airfield turf
Who do I contact if I want to look into planting pollinator habitat at m y airport? Dayton International Airport plantings: Mike Cross at 937-623-8343 MCross@flydayton.com ODOT’s involvement in pollinator plantings: Scott Lucas at 614-644-6603 Scott.Lucas@dot.ohio.gov OPHI statewide: Marci Lininger at 614-416-8993 ex: 27 Marci_Lininger@fws.gov
Thank you for your tim e.
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