Integrated vegetation management practices allow for natural germination of milkweed and other plants that benefit pollinators. There are 12 million acres of utility rights-of-way in the United States. Photo: Bayer CropScience.
A new partnership between Bayer CropScience (Bayer) and Integrated Vegetation Management Partners (IVM Partners) is aimed at improving pollinator and wildlife habitats on public rights-of-way across eight states. Bayer has invested more than $100,000 in the project, which includes the implementation of integrated vegetation management practices such as reducing or eliminating mowing, applying selective herbicides to encourage low-growing vegetation, controlling invasive and undesirable plant species, protecting watersheds, optimizing habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, reducing carbon footprint, and reducing overall costs.
The non-profit IVM Partners serves as a liaison for industry, agency and conservation and will work with Bayer on case study sites managed by utility or transportation rights-of-way in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Oregon, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
“With funding from Bayer, we will be able to expand integrated vegetation management research on diverse ecosystems across the country that correspond to migration routes of birds and Monarchs and increase and improve habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife,” Rick Johnstone, president and founder of IVM Partners, said in a press release. “These sites can be used to educate utilities, agencies and the public on how we can partner using IVM best practices to control invasive plants, reduce erosion and sedimentation of waterways, and lower the risk of wildfires.”
