Supporting honey bees and native almond pollinators through improved forage mixes: testing of establishment methods and strategic native plant selection

Our goal is to motivate almond growers to include native wildflower plantings in their orchard operations by providing guidance on plant materials and by demonstrating that forage mixes can be optimized for cost-effectiveness in supporting diverse and important pollinators. Increased adoption of pollinator conservation practices could increase demand for native seed, and identification of best plant species will reduce risk for native seed producers. Over time the increased demand and a more predictable market should stimulate increased native seed production, making native plant materials more affordable. This project represents the first critical steps in this process: identifying a robust suite of native plants that support pollinator populations, solidifying best establishment practices for these species and encouraging the market for those plants.