News You Can Use Arboriculture 101 What do you do when you have questions about treating a tree in your landscape for what you suspect might be insect or pathogen damage? Or maybe you wonder if a tree growing in your yard that has been damaged or that is no longer flourishing and seems to be in decline might need to be removed? Ultimately, you should engage the services of a certified arborist. Read more about arboriculture here. Responsible Horticulture Resources Pollinators at Mizzou Pollinators are responsible for producing one out of every three bites of food we eat. Pollinators play an important role in natural ecosystems helping 95 percent of all flowering plants reproduce — including a lot of the food we eat. In turn, they become important food sources for many larger animals. Unfortunately, pollinator populations have declined because of habitat loss, pollution, chemicals, diseases and changing climates. This Mizzou Botanic Garden publication — produced with children in mind — identifies some of the most common pollinators in this area and outlines ways to help them thrive. Please feel free to print the linked pdf and share it with others. Grow Native Grow Native! is the native plant marketing and education program of the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Grow Native! helps protect and restore biodiversity by increasing conservation awareness of native plants and their effective use in urban, suburban, and rural developed landscapes. The Grow Native! website is a rich resource for information about native plants that will thrive in urban, suburban, and rural developed landscapes of the Lower Midwest—Missouri, southwestern Illinois, northern Arkansas, and eastern Kansas. Plant profiles, suggestions for their use and resources to locate them as well as area events and sponsored plant sales are listed there. Missouri Invasive Plant Force The Missouri Invasive Plant Force is a multi-agency, multi-industry networking and advocacy group to bolster statewide efforts to identify and control invasive plant species that severely impact several sectors of the Missouri economy and native biodiversity. The purpose of the task force—working as a united, supportive front—is to review, discuss, and recommend educational and regulatory action related to managing known and potential non-¬native invasive plants. Representatives from the fields of conservation, agriculture, botanical science, ecological services, plant production, horticulture, landscape services and design and arboriculture make up the task force. The Missouri Invasive Plant Force website offers resources to identify and control invasive species. Missourians for Monarchs Missourians for Monarchs is a collaborative of conservation and agricultural organizations, government and non-government agencies, utilities, agribusinesses and citizens committed to monarch and pollinator conservation. The strategy for monarch butterfly conservation focuses on expanding and creating native milkweed and nectar blooming plant habitat necessary to support robust breeding and successful migration throughout the state. The Missourians for Monarchs website offers information about monarchs, current news about the iconic butterflies, area events and resources to create habitats that will support monarchs. The Xerces Society The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. A science-based organization, Xerces conducts our research and relies upon the most up-to-date information to guide conservation work. Key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation and reducing pesticide use and impacts. The Xerces website offers news, resources, free monthly seminars and suggestions for engagement and suggestions for personal involvement in the conservation of invertebrates.