ENVIRONMENT
“But the care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and so foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope.”
-WENDELL BERRY
Throughout history, humans have sought solace and restoration in the healing embrace of nature. One notable example is Henry David Thoreau, who in 1854 embarked on a transformative journey by retreating to a secluded cabin nestled deep within the Massachusetts woods. Over the course of two years spent in this tranquil setting, Thoreau penned his timeless masterpiece, a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of life and the sublime beauty of the natural world.
Protecting our planet is a shared responsibility, and at The Acreage, we are deeply committed to environmental conservation and sustainability. Our ecological initiatives raise awareness, promote eco-friendly practices, and preserve natural resources for future generations. Small actions can make a big difference in creating a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable world.
FIELD NOTES
Pollinator Database with Pollinator Friendly Alliance
“Eastern bumblebee on purple cone flower! Monarch butterfly on False Aster!” On a hot, arid July morning, a small team working in pairs, traverse marked sections of the prairie calling out to their partner documenting the species of pollinators and the flora they visit.
Equipped with sharp pencils and recording sheets on clipboard, researchers from the Pollinator Friendly Alliance and members of The Acreage staff collect data for an on-going project documenting the health of the pollinator community at The Acreage.
“Rebuilding declining pollinator species means providing resilient and biodiverse habitats where pollinators and wildlife can thrive, protected from pesticides,”
Now in its fourth year, the pollinator count is beginning to tell a story that will inform future land management practices in the pollinator meadow, prairie, woodland edges, and forested regions of The Acreage. Pollinators across the country are in dramatic decline.
An astonishing 25% of bumblebee populations are at-risk of extinction (IUCN threatened category), this includes at least 6 species in the upper Midwest such as the yellow banded and rusty patched bumble bee. If used as an indicator of other bumble bees, this is a loss of 87% of range and 92% decline in relative abundance.
“Rebuilding declining pollinator species means providing resilient and biodiverse habitats where pollinators and wildlife can thrive, protected from pesticides,” says Laurie Schneider, the Executive Director for the Pollinator Friendly Alliance.
EASTERN BUMBLEBEE ON ST. JOHN’S WORT
By rebuilding and maintaining protected areas, The Acreage intends to be a healthy haven for pollinators to flourish. Visit the Pollinator Friendly Alliance to learn more about their work and how you can support healthy pollinator habitats in your area.
Read more about our Environmental Stewardship in our Field Notes
