Native bees are vital to agriculture because of the work they do pollinating crops. New Mexico State University will host a workshop from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde on how to support pollinators in northern New Mexico. (NMSU photo by Jane Moorman)ALCALDE – Native bees and other insect pollinators are vital to many aspects of agriculture as they transfer pollen from flower to flower of a crop. However, pollinators are under extreme pressure from various threats that will have long term effects on their livelihoods and our landscape.

Humans can help by providing habitat and forage on farms, ranches, or gardens that can encourage native pollinators to thrive.

New Mexico State University’s Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, in cooperation with the Rio Arriba County Extension office and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, is hosting “How to Support Pollinators in Northern New Mexico” from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the science center, 371 County Road 40, Alcalde. The interactive workshop will guide participants through the world of pollinators. 

“People are aware of the colony collapse disorder that threatens non-native honey bees,” said Adrienne Rosenberg, the Alcalde science center’s publication editor. “But they want to know more about our native pollinators, which are arguably much more important to our landscape and food system. This workshop is an opportunity to learn more about these important insects in general, and specifically how participants can support pollinators in northern New Mexico.”

Emily May, a national expert from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and Rosenberg will be discussing topics including pollinator habitat needs, environmental stressors, community science opportunities for pollinator monitoring and how to create more high value habitat for pollinators in northern New Mexico.

The workshop will include a field tour of wildflower mixes being tested at the science center for attracting and supporting pollinators.

Donald Martinez, NMSU agricultural agent at NMSU’s Rio Arriba County Extension office, will facilitate the workshop. Workshop fee is $10, which includes a light refreshment.

For more information and to register contact Jaime Taylor at the Rio Arriba County Extension office at 505-685-4523 or register online at https://alcaldesc.nmsu.edu.