Pollinator Conservation in
Practice brings together forestry and conservation professionals, land
managers, and nature enthusiasts to explore how land management can support
pollinator health. This workshop connects emerging pollinator conservation
issues with traditional forestry, highlighting how thoughtful vegetation
management, native seed use, and partnerships can enhance both habitat and
working landscapes.
Agenda
Tuesday, November 18
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
REGISTRATION
9:30 AM
9:30 AM
Event Start
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Introduction
Dr. Sheldon Owen and Dr. Dave McGill, WVU Extension Service
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
9:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Jakob Goldner, Conservation Entomologist, WV DNR
Jakob Goldner will provide an update on monarch butterfly conservation and the broader status of pollinators in West Virginia.
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Dr. Kirsten Stephan, Professor of Forest Resources Management, WVU
Flowers and their pollinators (insects, birds, mammals) adapt in response to each other over many generations.
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Mark Fiely, Horticulturist, Ernst Seed Company
Mark Fiely will explore how bees, butterflies, flies, and other beneficial insects rely on diverse floral resources throughout their life stages.
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
John Cobb, Private Woodland Owner, Lewis County
John will share his experiences establishing pollinator plantings on his property, including both fall and spring plantings.
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Visit Research and Education Posters
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Mark Fiely, Horticulturist, Ernst Seed Company
Explain how native plant species are selected, propagated, harvested, and conditioned to provide high-quality seed for pollinator projects.
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
Dr. Kyle Aldinger, State Biologist Ecological Sciences, NRCS
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers and landowners create and care for pollinator habitat.
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
BREAK - Research & Education Posters
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Ryan Ward, Owner & Senior Environmental Scientist, AllStar Ecology
Ryan Ward will discuss AllStar Ecology’s work creating and managing pollinator habitats on highway rights-of-way and other large landscapes.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Hans Straight, Transmission Forestry Specialist, FirstEnergy
Hans Straight will discuss how FirstEnergy integrates pollinator conservation into its utility rights-of-way management through a companywide Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program.
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Robert Kuhn (Owner, Kuhn’s Aerial Applications) will introduce his drone-based service for vegetation management, highlighting how aerial applications can improve site preparation and habitat maintenance.
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
DEPART
Wednesday, November 19
11:17 AM
11:17 AM
Event End
