[PCA] Fwd: Maryland State Highway Administration Creating Habitat for Pollinators with Native Plants

[De Angelis, Patricia]

More on the Maryland Statewide Native Plants Establishment Program
(2012-2017) at:
http://www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office_of_Planning_and_Capital_Programming/CTP/CTP_12_17/SHA_Documents/Final_SHA/SHA_Statewide.pdf

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*From:* Charlie Gischlar [mailto:CGischlar at sha.state.md.us]
*Sent:* Wednesday, June 17, 2015 3:35 PM
*Subject:* The Birds, The Bees…And The Butterflies; SHA is Dedicated to
Preserving Pollinators Statewide


*For Immediate Release*

Contact:  Valerie Burnette Edgar (410) 545-0303

*THE BIRDS, THE BEES…AND THE BUTTERFLIES; *

*STATE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING POLLINATORS
STATEWIDE*

*Mowing Reduction and Meadow Creations are Key to Pollinators*

*(June 17, 2015)* – Sometimes the smallest things are our biggest helpers,
which is the case with pollinators in Maryland. Honeybees and Monarch
Butterflies are two particular pollinators that over the past several years
have seen declines in their respective populations due to habitat
destruction, parasites and insecticide use. Bees and butterflies help to
pollinate more than 75 percent of crops and flowering plants. Just in time
for National Pollinator Week (June 15-June 21), the Maryland Department of
Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) continues to make
conditions favorable for these beneficial insects to once again thrive by
reducing roadside mowing, using beneficial insects for vegetation control
and creating meadows of nectar and pollen producing native species.

One of the greatest challenges to honeybee colonies is referred to as
colony collapse disorder. The significant challenge to Monarch Butterflies
is the destruction of habitat. The loss of valuable pollinators is having
an effect on crops nationwide.

Through its mowing reduction and Statewide Native Plants Establishment
Program, SHA has planted a variety of plant species specifically designed
to attract Honeybees and Monarch Butterflies. Meadow restoration occurs
along roadside medians, shoulders and near storm water management
facilities. A few specific nectar-producing varieties include:

   - Butterfly Weed;
   - Sunflowers;
   - Asters;
   - Coreopsis (Tickseed);
   - Swamp Milkweed; and
   - Black-eyes Susans.

“Planting native meadow species is not only a great way to reduce mowing,
it adds beauty and provides habitat for wildlife,” said Acting SHA
Administrator Doug Simmons.” “The fact that the plants we sow attract
valuable pollinators makes this even more rewarding.”

Monarch Butterflies migrate annually from North America to the Sierra Madre
Mountains in Mexico. Biologists have noticed a slight increase in Monarch
Butterfly populations over the past year. There is still a steep hill to
climb as approximately 90 percent of the butterflies vanished over the past
twenty years.

SHA has developed a landscape design guide which provides direction for SHA
landscaping plans. The design guide includes an array of information that
explores how SHA landscape designs provide durable roadside naturalized
landscaping while maintaining and enhancing valuable wildlife habitat. For
more information on the SHA Landscape Design Guide, click here
<http://www.roads.maryland.gov/index.aspx?PageId=25>.

*# # #*

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