Two bumble bees in flight on a coneflower.
You can help keep track of pollinators this month. It only takes 15 minutes and one plant. You’ll be providing vital information to protect the bees and insects that help produce more than 75 percent of the food we eat directly or indirectly.
Through the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, people can become citizen scientists for two days, August 23-24, collecting information that will used to spot trends for taking action that may help reduce the decline in habitats.
“Many pollinators, such as bees, are in decline because their habitats are disappearing,” said Becky Griffin, University of Georgia Extension Pollinator Health Associate and Coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. “By participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, you can help by watching just one plant in your garden for 15 minutes and counting the number and types of pollinators that visit it. Then upload your results to our website.”
Begun in 2019 after a two-year pilot program through the University of Georgia, the initiative now encompasses four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia.
“The project has three goals: to increase the number of sustainable habitats for pollinators, to broaden the entomological literacy of our citizens and to generate data about our pollinator populations,” Griffin said. “It’s geared toward home gardeners, garden groups and schools. Really, anyone can participate.”
Griffin encouraged people to create their own pollinator gardens so that they will have more food sources, shelter and places to nest.
“Native flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals encourage pollinator visits throughout the growing season,” she said. “Select a variety of different plants with distinct characteristics, such as flower shape, color, morphology and bloom times. Group similar plants together to make it easier for the insects to find them, think bunches of three to five plants of one type. This will attract a nice diversity of insects.”
Adding colorful blooms to vegetable gardens can ensure higher production. Intersperse bright marigolds, tall zinnias and even sunflowers to attract more pollinators to food gardens and make them prettier. The bees, butterflies and other insects will help pollinate blossoms that will become the tomatoes, squash, beans and peppers to harvest.
Summer perennials, such as purple coneflower, cosmos, Shasta daisies, bee balm, catmint, liatris and various herbs like thyme, oregano and lavender add color to the garden.
Blooming shrubs like chaste trees, panicle hydrangeas and butterfly bushes nearby will encourage visitors. In the fall, goldenrod, asters and bee balm provide color and plenty of nectar and pollen for insects.
It’s easy and important to participate in the annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Take just a few minutes a couple of days before the census weekend to familiarize yourself with how to report, review the 2024 counting and identification guide and sign up for the newsletter at gsepc.org.
Photo: by Pamela A. Keene
Pollinators count, and you can too
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census takes place this year on August 23-24. For pollinator plant lists and more information about the program, visit gsepc.org.
Additional Resources:
- How to create a pollinator garden – Georgia Pollinator Partnership, gapp.org
- Recommended plants — Georgia Pollinator Plants of the Year, botgarden.uga.edu
- Plant natives – Georgia Native Plant Society, gnps.org
