Native bees were collected in higher numbers in
sites managed by IVM or that was converted to IVM.
Sites that provide overwintering habitat and early
foraging for bumble bees and other native bees
act as a natural resource and more stable environ-
ments. The presence of bumble bees in significantly
higher populations at IVM sites thus may help val-
idate the tactics associated with IVM in ROW.
What are We Leaving Behind?
As we advance ROW VM and environmental stew-
ardship in utility corridors, we are obligated to
our safety, regulatory compliance, budgetary allo-
cation, personnel development, and other goals.
However, with the growing increase in community
and public and private partnerships, we are increas-
ingly being guided by environmental health-based
focus areas and the question, "What are we leaving
behind?" That question will continue to resonate in
our industry for some time to come. As ROW and
utility corridor vegetation managers, we must aspire
towards an answer that is rooted in environmental
and ecosystem health. Benefits from planting ROW-
compatible trees in restoration efforts as well as
advancing our IVM strategies will be steps in this
direction as we enhance wildlife and habitat value
both for pollinator health and work towards greater
environmental sustainability in ROWs in the future.
This article originally ran with additional illustration in
the Nov/Dec 2018 issue of Utility Arborist Newsline.
22 CityTREES
Rights-of-Way offer the opportunity for noteworthy biodiversity
of herbaceous plants, shrubs, and short-stature trees.
