Conservation of bumble bees and other native pollinators has been gaining world-wide attention in recent years with the disappearance of several once common pollinators and severe reductions in populations of other pollinators. Shuksan Conservancy is developing a proposal for a subalpine meadow pollinator refuge on US Forest Service and US Park Service lands in the North Cascades.
Although the boundary of the pollinator refuge has not been determined, the proposal will focus on an area centered around Ruth Mountain (just north of Mt. Shuksan) in the northern portion of the North Cascades. Ruth Mountain is at the center of starfish-like spiral of mountain meadows across the area. This 35-mile-long contiguous meadow includes potential fragmentation points (i.e., lower elevation passes) where tree encroachment associated with climate change will likely create a series of fragmented “sky-island” meadows. Protecting and restoring meadow habitat at these fragmentation points is the highest priority for protecting the overall subalpine meadow.
The justification for a pollinator refuge in the North Cascades is compelling.
- Fragmentation of meadow habitat due to climate change induced tree encroachment.
- Loss of meadow habitat due to development in subalpine areas (e.g., parking lots, new trails).
- Competition for nectar and pollen from annually introduced non-native honey bee colonies.
- Introduction of bumble bee pathogens from non-native honey bee colonies.
- Damage to meadows from extraction activities (e.g., mining, geothermal energy).
- Damage to meadows by visitor recreation activities (e.g., user trails, off-road parking).
Action needs to be taken now to address these habitat protection issues. We need to assure the long-term survival of pollinators in this unique subalpine meadow system. Protecting pollinators in the refuge will also provide a source for pollinator recolonization in lowland areas where future pollinator populations may decline.
Join us and help to protect pollinators in the North Cascades.