Operation Pollinator helps Syngenta deliver on biodiversity commitment

  • Syngenta research-based program helps provide habitats and forage for pollinators
  • Habitats bring biodiversity to wide range of landscapes—from farmland to golf courses
  • Syngenta’s Good Growth Plan is committed to enhancing biodiversity on more than 12.3 million acres of farmland

GREENSBORO, N.C.--()--As the United States commemorates National Pollinator Week this week, Syngenta celebrates the growing footprint of Operation Pollinator, the program’s benefits to pollinator health and the enhanced biodiversity this global effort has brought to a variety of landscapes.

Initiated by Syngenta, Operation Pollinator helps restore pollinators in agricultural, golf and other landscapes by creating essential forage and habitats for bees and other pollinators. Farmers, land managers and golf course superintendents who participate in Operation Pollinator cultivate unused or marginal land areas with native flower species, which attract pollinators and function as essential food sources.

“Pollinators are important to agriculture, and it is incumbent on the ag industry to help pollinators thrive,” said Caydee Savinelli, pollinator and integrated pest management stewardship lead, Syngenta. “Beyond the benefits that pollinators bring to crops, their habitats help promote biodiversity, reduce soil erosion and protect water sources from soil and nutrient pollution—just to name a few benefits.”

Operation Pollinator sites have been established on more than 200 golf properties across 29 states. And during the past three years, nearly 7,000 acres of pollinator forage and habitat have been planted on U.S. commercial farmland, in cooperation with R.D. Offutt, Delta F.A.R.M., Project Apis m, The Bee & Butterfly Habitat Fund and Trees Forever.

For Tennessee-based, certified golf course superintendent Paul L. Carter, participating in Operation Pollinator has helped enhance the environment at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay. “Golf course employees and visitors go home at night, but the wildlife stays,” said Carter. “This is their home, and it’s important that we take care of it. We can’t have a golf course without nature, so every decision we make takes into consideration environmental impact.”

Operation Pollinator is one of many environmental sustainability measures implemented at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, which is managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The property is known for the pair of bald eagles that have nested at the site since 2010, and it is recognized as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by Audubon International, among other designations.

Beyond providing the wildflower seed needed to cultivate pollinator habitats, Syngenta advises on site selection and the agronomics of maintaining a habitat. “Establishing a successful habitat is so much more than planting seeds,” said Savinelli. “That’s why we provide resources and counsel to farmers and golf course superintendents.” Syngenta also maintains a website, www.beehealth.org, which functions as a resource for information on pollinator health matters, and recently developed a quick guide that can be referenced by farmers and landowners interested in converting land to pollinator habitat.

Helping biodiversity flourish is among the six commitments comprising The Good Growth Plan, Syngenta’s plan to help increase productivity while using fewer resources. Since introducing The Good Growth Plan in 2013, Syngenta has enriched 12.1 million acres through biodiversity-enhancing practices in 34 countries, and is poised to reach its 12.3 million-acre goal by 2020.

To learn more about Operation Pollinator and Syngenta’s commitment to pollinator health, visit www.beehealth.org. Follow the conversation on social media using #OperationPollinator.

About Syngenta

Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Syngenta and www.twitter.com/SyngentaUS.

Web Resources:
Operation Pollinator
Syngenta Newsroom
Know More, Grow More
Syngenta U.S.
Thrive

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract there for.

©2017 Syngenta, 410 Swing Road, Greensboro, NC 27409. The Syngenta logo is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

Syngenta
Ann Bryan, 336-632-2486
ann.bryan@syngenta.com
or
Karyn Ostrom, 919-870-5718
kostrom@gscommunications.com

Release Summary

As the United States commemorates National Pollinator Week this week, Syngenta celebrates the growing footprint of Operation Pollinator.

Contacts

Syngenta
Ann Bryan, 336-632-2486
ann.bryan@syngenta.com
or
Karyn Ostrom, 919-870-5718
kostrom@gscommunications.com