The Great Florida Pollinator Census

2026 will be the third year that Florida is participating in the Great Florida Pollinator Census under the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the community science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators:

To create sustainable pollinator habitat by educating gardeners about using plants that provide nutrition for our pollinators while handling our summer droughts and do not have disease or pest insect pressure.
To increase the entomological literacy of our citizens. As I mentioned to one teacher, we want students to go from “oooo, it’s a bug” to “look at the tarsal claw on that bee!”
To generate useful data about our pollinator populations, so we can begin to spot trends and see how pollinator populations are affected by weather and how honeybees influence native bee populations.

Now including tens of thousands of participants from the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, many Extension offices are offering annual events to encourage public participation in the census. Join our statewide effort to learn about pollinators, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, and community science. You can make a difference!

Why Contribute?

Pollinators are precious and powerful. Over 90% of our flowering plants, including many crops, rely on their hard work. Capturing scientific data on pollinator diversity, seasonality, and geographical location are critical in education and conservation efforts. The Great Florida Pollinator Census provides an opportunity for community scientists to contribute this important data from the comfort of their home, neighborhood, or community.

How to Participate

When it comes to collecting data, consistency is key! If you plan to participate in this year’s Great Florida Pollinator Census, make sure you have the knowledge and tools to do so. You’ll need to be able to identify between pollinator groups (bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, etc.), use the appropriate datasheet, and upload your data to the GSEPC website. We will provide the information and resources you need at our upcoming event.

Watch the video below to learn more about the census process.

When is the Count?

Join us for the 2026 Great Florida Pollinator Census. Training events often include a short lecture, followed by open time to count pollinators in a designated outdoor space.

The Great Florida Pollinator Census will take place from August 21 to 22 this year, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn about pollinators leading up to the official dates.

Use the list below to find an event near you!

List of Upcoming Events

Northwest Florida

Bay County
- August 18 @ 1:00 – 2:00 pm CDT, 2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT: Pollinators in Your Yard: ID, Attract, and Count Them (also offered online)
Escambia County
- August 21 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am CST, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT: Pollinator County
Leon County
- August 21 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Great Southeast Pollinator Census 2026
Santa Rosa County
- August 21 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am CST, 10:00 am – 11:00 am EDT: Great Southeast Pollinator Census

Northeast Florida

St. Johns
- August 21 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Greater Southeast Pollinator Census (contact info@stjohnsbotanicalgarden.org for more information)
Duval County
- August 22 @ 9:45 – 11:00 am: Great Southeast Pollinator Census at University of North Florida Botanical Garden
- August 21-22 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am (census training), 11:00 am/12:00 pm/1:00 pm (seminars): Great Southeast Pollinator Census Palooza
- August 21 @ 9:00 – 10:00 am: Pollinator Census at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Garden (contact t.ashworth@ufl.edu for more information)
- August 21 @ 4:00 – 5:00 pm: Pollinator Census at Castaway Island Preserve (contact t.ashworth@ufl.edu for more information)
- August 21 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Great Southeast Pollinator Census at the Urban Demonstration Garden
- August 21 @ 10:00 am: Great Southeast Pollinator Census at The Garden Club of Jacksonville

North Central Florida

Alachua County
- August 22 @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm: Micanopy Pollinator Victory Garden (Facebook)
- August 22 @ 10:00 – 11:00 am: Great Southeast Census Pollinator Party
Madison County
- August 22 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Great Florida Pollinator Census Party at Madison Four Freedoms Park (contact lstrange@ufl.edu for more information)
Marion County
- August 19 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am: Butterfly Gardening & Demonstration Garden Tour (tickets now sold out)
- August 21 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Pollinator Census & Plant Giveaway! (tickets now sold out)
- August 21 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm: Pollinator Census
- August 22 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Pollinator Census Watch Party with Daughters of the American Revolution
- August 22 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Pollinator Census at Discovery Center
- August 22 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm: Pollinator Census Station at Fort King’s Heritage Garden
Taylor County
- August 21-22 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Great Florida Pollinator Census Party at UF/IFAS Extension, Taylor County (contact lstrange@ufl.edu for more information)
- August 22 @ 9:30 am – 3:30 pm: Pollinator Ambassador Academy (cost: $39.19)