**This article was written by Angela Mason Foster,  Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer of Beaufort County**

August is more than just the dog days of summer—it’s a prime time to observe and protect the vital creatures that make our gardens thrive. On August 23 and 24, 2025, citizens across Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama were invited to participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. This annual event offers a simple but powerful way to support pollinator conservation, all from the comfort of your own backyard, schoolyard, or local park.

What Is the Pollinator Census?

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project that began in Georgia in 2019 through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. In just a few years, it expanded to neighboring states, and as of 2025, now includes five Southeastern states—making it a truly regional initiative. Its goal is to collect valuable data on pollinator activity while engaging the public in science and conservation.

Here’s how it works: individuals, families, classrooms, and community groups select a 15-minute window during the census weekend, observe pollinators visiting a blooming plant, and record what they see. Participants tally pollinators using simple identification categories and then upload their results to a central database.

You do not need a biology degree or prior experience to participate. In fact, one of the census’s biggest strengths is its accessibility to all ages and experience levels.

Why Pollinators Matter

Pollinators—including native bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, and hummingbirds—are essential to the reproduction of about 75% of flowering plants. In agricultural terms, pollinators contribute to the production of about one-third of the food we eat, including crops like blueberries, cucumbers, squash, melons, and almonds.

But pollinator populations are under increasing pressure. Habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, invasive species, and disease are all contributing to alarming declines. The census helps researchers track which pollinators are present, where they are thriving, and where help is most needed. Over time, this data guides habitat conservation, planting recommendations, and regional policy decisions.

Who Should Participate?

Everyone. Whether you’re an avid gardener in Beaufort County, a teacher in Tallahassee, or a grandparent tending zinnias in Mobile, this is your chance to take part in a meaningful science project. The census is open to individuals, families, schools, libraries, 4-H clubs, Master Gardeners, scouts, community gardens, faith-based groups, and more.

It doesn’t matter if you have acres of native flowers or just a single container plant on your porch—any blooming plant can become your census site.

How to Participate

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Pick Your Time
   Choose a 15-minute window during the census weekend. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be the most active time for pollinators.
2. Choose Your Plant
   Find a plant in full bloom—something that’s actively attracting pollinators. It can be in your yard, at a school, in a park, or even in a container garden.
3. Observe and Count
   For 15 minutes, watch the plant and count each pollinator visit. Use the official categories: bumble bees, carpenter bees, honey bees, small bees, wasps, flies, butterflies/moths, and “other insects.”
4. Submit Your Data
   Use the printable tally sheet or submit your data online at www.gsepc.org. Each participant submits one form per plant observed.
5. Celebrate Your Role
   Share your experience with friends, neighbors, or on social media. Your observation—however small—contributes to a larger understanding of pollinator populations across the Southeast.

Why It Matters in the Southeast

The Southeastern U.S. is home to a rich diversity of pollinator species and native flowering plants, many of which are uniquely adapted to our coastal and inland ecosystems. From the salt marshes of the Carolinas to the citrus groves of Florida and the farmlands of southern Alabama, the health of our pollinators directly affects the health of our communities.

Participating in the census gives gardeners, farmers, and educators in places like Craven County, the Florida Panhandle, or central Georgia an opportunity to take part in a shared environmental mission. Over time, the data collected helps conservationists and scientists identify trends in pollinator health that affect food production, wild plant populations, and ecosystem balance.

Educational and Family-Friendly

This is also an ideal opportunity for educators to introduce students to entomology, ecology, and citizen science in a hands-on way. Many teachers use the census to fulfill curriculum standards in science while instilling a sense of environmental stewardship.

Families can make it a weekend activity—get outdoors, learn how to identify pollinators, and contribute to a region-wide conservation effort with just 15 minutes of observation.

Helpful Resources

To prepare for the census or learn more about pollinator conservation, check out these trusted sources:

• Great Southeast Pollinator Census Official Site (www.gsepc.org)
  Includes identification guides, tally sheets, lesson plans, and data submission portals.
• “Pollinators of Native Plants” by Heather Holm
  A beautifully photographed and practical field guide that helps users identify both native plants and the pollinators they attract.
• The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (www.xerces.org)
  Offers free planting guides, pollinator habitat tips, and science-backed recommendations for gardeners and landowners.
• The Bee Conservancy (https://thebeeconservancy.org/)
• Dedicated to the protection and promotion of native bee species through education and community programs.
• NC State Extension Pollinator Program (pollinators.ces.ncsu.edu)
  Offers plant lists and habitat resources tailored to North Carolina’s climate zones and ecosystems.

A Small Act with Lasting Impact

Fifteen minutes may not seem like much, but when thousands of individuals from five states all count pollinators on the same two days, the result is a powerful snapshot of biodiversity across the region. Whether you see a single butterfly or a dozen busy bees, your observations help tell the story of our pollinators’ health and needs.

So next August, pull up a chair beside your blooming lantana, echinacea, or goldenrod and take part in a science project that can change how we garden, farm, and protect nature across the Southeast. It’s free, it’s fun, and it matters.

For more information or to get started, visit www.gsepc.org and become part of the growing movement to support the Southeast’s pollinators—one flower at a time.

If you have questions about your home garden or landscape, reach out to Gene Fox, Consumer Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. Email Gene at gene_fox@ncsu.edu or call (252) 946-0111. Master Gardeners are available on the Greenline Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to assist with your horticultural needs. Don’t forget to check out the Beaufort County Master Gardeners Facebook page for additional resources.