Chris Stein

On February 1, 2022, Chris Stein (Chief of Heritage Areas and Partnerships in the National Park Service Midwest Region) spoke to the Magnolia Rotary Club membership (via Zoom) about "Operation Pollination". Pictured above is Chris Stein.
 
Chris told everyone that he is also a Rotarian and is hoping that Rotary clubs in Texas will support "Operation Pollination" in some way. Chris also explained that "Operation Pollination" is a 7th Area of Focus Environmental Framework within Rotary ESRAGs (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Groups). Chris also pointed out the he is a member of the Twin Cities EcoClub, ESRAG, and Paths to Pollinators Rotary Network (District 5970). Chris then told everyone that he would split his talk today into the following parts:
 
  • What is Operation Pollination
  • A brief History of the Framework
  • How to engage in Operation Pollination
Chris then stated that Operation Pollination is an inclusive framework to help recruit a diverse array of organizational partners willing to engage in pollinator habitat restoration and education activities. The two goals of Operation Pollination are:
 
  • Restore pollinator habitats
  • Educate people about the importance of pollinators
Chris then pointed out that pollinators are responsible for the reproductive success of more than 85% of the world's plants and as such, provide FREE Ecosystem Services. However, since the 1970's, pollinators have declined by more than 40% worldwide!  Chis also pointed out that Magnolia, Texas is in a unique position to be in a migration path for Monarch Butterflies (see below):
 
 
To help address the decline in pollinators, Operation Pollination was conceived and is being implemented in places across the USA.
 
Chris then turned to providing a brief history of Operation Pollination.
 
  • In August of 2015, the St. Croix Valley Pollinator Partnership (made up of Federal Land Managers) invited All organizations to join the cause.
  • By 2020, 35 NHSs (National Heritage Areas) were interested in joining Operation Pollination and 15 NHAs engaged in it. There currently is no NHA in Texas.
  • ESRAG North American Central Chapter adopted Operation Pollination as a Pollinator Committee project. Go to https://operationpollination.net.
  • In October 2020, a story about Operation Pollination appeared in the Rotary Magazine.
Chris then pointed out that our club could be the first in Texas to sign a non-binding Pollinator Resolution and Pledge. Chris also stated that Rotary Clubs and Districts can make a difference for pollinator habitat restoration and education.
 
Chris then told everyone how to engage in Operation Pollination:
 
  • Sign a Pollinator Resolution
  • Sign a Pollinator Pledge
  • Put pledge partner names on the back of your Pollinator Resolution and obtain media attention
Chris then showed examples of both the Pollinator Resolution and the Pollinator Pledge. He also pointed out that the ESRAG {North American Central Chapter} Pollinator Committee is encouraging Rotarians around the world to engage in pollinator habitat restoration and education activities. He then showed examples of other Rotary clubs who have joined Operation Pollination.
 
Chris then thanked our club for inviting him to speak and answered questions from the group.
 
To contact Chris Stein see the following:
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