WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of the Interior will host the 7th Annual North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) International Summit on October 24-26, 2007. Top experts from the United States, Canada and Mexico will gather in the nation’s capital at the department’s headquarters and other locations to explore options for preserving and protecting native pollinators and honeybees in North America.
Events open to credentialed media include an Oct. 24 field trip to Patuxent Refuge and other sessions requiring reservations. In addition, the Department of the Interior Museum and Indian Craft Shop will feature pollinator exhibits open to the public at the main Interior building, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Who: The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) is a key component of the Pollinator Partnership, coordinated by the Coevolution Institute to promote stewardship of pollinators and all biodiversity. NAPPC is a tri-national collaboration consisting of more than 120 and organizations and individuals. The event is sponsored by the Department of the Interior and its agencies, Burt’s Bees, Blue Diamond Growers and others. For a full list of sponsors, visit http://www.pollinator.org/summit_sponsors.htm.
What: Pollinators are essential for crop and plant reproduction as well as ecosystem health. Representatives from the three nations will exchange the latest scientific data and determine workable strategies for existing federal, state and local programs and to announce new efforts to assist in this campaign.
When:
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Field Trip to Patuxent Research Refuge:
BUS SPACE IS LIMITED, AND RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE.
This tour, which will introduce pre-eminent scientists to U.S. bee research facilities and a summary of recent data, is open to credentialed media. The tour will feature a utility right-of-way as pollinator habitat; the U.S. Geological Survey Native Bee Inventorying and Monitoring Lab; and the USDA Agricultural Research Service Bee Lab.
Registration for the press is free. Lunch provided. Please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes. Because this is tick season, we advise that you wear light-colored long pants and shirt, socks and closed shoes. Insect repellant will be available.
Bus Departure Point: Holiday Inn Capitol (550 C Street S.W. Washington, DC 20024). Please meet in front of the building by 9 a.m. Bus transportation provided for field trip. Bus arrives back at Holiday Inn Capitol no later than 4:00 p.m.
To attend, please contact Kat McGuire at 415-362-1137 or km@coevolution.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m
Reception at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory
(Main entrance located at: 100 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20001)
Open to Credentialed media, this reception will feature:
- Pollinated food and beverages
- Signing of a Pollinator partnership agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (Director Mark Myers)
- Presentations of 2007 NAPPC Pollinator Advocate Awards to “Pollinator Champions” from Mexico, Canada and the U.S, and 2007 National Association of Conservation Districts/NAPPC Rancher-Farmer Pollinator Conservation Award.
Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Opening Session, Department of the Interior Sidney Yates Auditorium (1849 C Street, N.W. ). Where Have the Pollinators Gone? An Update on Bees, Plants, and the Implications of Change
With lectures by prominent pollinator experts including:
- Dr. Jeff Pettis, Research Leader, USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab,
- Dr. David Inouye, Director, Conservation Biology Graduate Program, University of Maryland,
- Dr. Stephen Buchmann, Interim NAPPC Coordinator and NAS NRC Pollinator Study Panel member, and
- Paul Growald, Co-Chair, NAPPC
Experts report on findings related to Colony Collapse Disorder among bees, the impact of climate change on pollinator species, and the implications of the recent National Academy of Sciences study of pollinator status in North America. It will conclude with a review of progress in the Pollinator Partnership’s active, ongoing campaign to advance the cause of pollinator protection here and abroad. This session is also open to the public.
To RSVP, please e-mail usbg@nappc.org or call Kat McGuire at (415) 362-1137. Please bring government-issued ID or press badge.