Pollinators, whether managed bees or the myriad native insect pollinators, are declining in numbers, some at alarming rates. These workhorses put every third bite we eat into our mouths. A number of causes are to blame and the science is not yet concrete in its conclusions. A chemical that was introduced and has been widely used since the early 2000s has been implicated in the reduction of pollinator numbers.
New directives by the Environmental Protection Agency and by Minnesota Statute 18H.14 of 2014 are being put into effect that will address part of the problem. These certainly aren’t comprehensive solutions to their plight but a start on tackling the issue. The next two articles will describe the regulations, their scope, and suggest parts unanswered.
First, the EPA: The directive involves labeling products containing neonicotinoid chemicals (imidicloprid, dinotefuran, thiamethexam, and clothiandin). Remembering those names when we go to the store for help would be challenging for most of us; labeling now includes a honeybee in a red box set at a 45 degree angle to clue us in that the product has the potential to harm bees and other insect pollinators.
Exposure can take place by direct contact during application and by contact with residue, by ingestion of residue in nectar and pollen, when used as a seed treatment in soil, or as a tree injection. There is disagreement about the extent of the problems neonicotinoids cause and how much other factors may be equally culpable.
The directive requires people to (1) “minimize exposure when insects are foraging on pollinator plants around the application site;” and (2) “minimize drift onto beehives or off-site attractive habitat” because drift can also result in killing of bees. Insects are not notified ahead of time about spraying operations. People who observe bee kills are requested to report the problem to their local Department of Agriculture.
This ruling primarily addresses the managed bee industry; what is happening to the native insect population is extremely difficult to quantify or observe. Many of these insects are largely invisible to most of us; they are tiny, often work early in the morning or in the case of moths, at night, and many live in plant debris or in tunnels in the ground. They don’t require management by people to do their work but do require healthy plants, soil, and water to survive. Some of them only pollinate one plant species or in the case of the monarch butterfly, require the milkweed plant for the caterpillar stage. Habitat is critical; without a specific plant, certain insects will not be sustained.
This very complicated issue is being studied in many different ways. To read about the EPA’s approaches, go to the website: http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/how-we-assess-risks-pollinators#more%20info> What seemed to me to be lacking was a comprehensive approach to the loss of pollinators other than honeybees and an overall awareness of the ramifications of the decline to food safety. Perhaps that is part of another agency’s mandate. Deciphering government data is a formidable task and getting a sense of the whole picture is daunting.
A second article will describe the approach Minnesota is taking that will involve us gardeners. For more information on horticultural topics the University of Minnesota Extension provides a plethora of guidance: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/>
Over 50 International Falls residents gathered March 4 at Rotary Park in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., for their annual potluck. One Falls couple, Dennis and Renae Maloney, flew into Las Vegas, Nev., and drove to Havasu for the occasion.
Mass of the Resurrection for Adeline Hattie Beck, 92, of International Falls, who died Monday March 16, 2015, was conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 19, at St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Visitation was one hour prior.
Officiating was Fr. Ben Hadrich.
Music was by May Ann Kalar and Cathy Lucca.
Remembrances were given by Jodi Hutchinson. Colleen Lucachick was the Reader with Presentation of Gifts by Abbigail Hutchinson, Nyssa Beck-Hutchinson and Allison Hutchinson.
Eucharistic ministers were Ann Holden and Jim Cowlishaw.
Casketbearers were Kevin Christianson, Riley Beck, Josie Beck, Alexis Beck, Matt Beck and Jennie Beck.
Frank Watkinson served as usher.
Interment was at St. Thomas Church Cemetery, International Falls.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
Faith Mary Francis, 89, was ushered into eternal rest Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the Care-Age Country Home, Park Rapids, Minn.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 27, at Evangelical Free Church, Bemidji, Minn.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home, Bemidji.
A special thanks to Park Rapids Hospice for their wonderful services and care.
Faith was born Sept. 18, 1925, to David and Nellie Bruzelius in Rosby, Minn.
She graduated from International Falls, Minn., and married Vernon Francis on June 11, 1947.
Their almost 68 years of marriage was blessed with six children — Evangelyn Bjorkman, Howard (Nancy) Francis, Edie (David) Heem, Beverly (Steve) Kopkie, Shirley (Ron) Molitor and and Marian (James) Love. Faith had 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.
She was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Faith will always be known and remembered for her beautiful, dimpled smile and her gentle spirit.
She was a true woman of faith and lived it out on a daily basis.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her six siblings, John, Fred, Neil, David, Hope and Lois; daughter, Evangelyn; grandson, Benjamin Bjorkman; and great-grandson, Jacob Bjorkman.
Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.
