The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

This year will be the first year Florida will be participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census (GSEPC). Created by the University of Georgia Extension Services in 2019, the citizen science project has three major goals outlined by its initial creators.
1.     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.
2.     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!”
3.     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, we hope to host it annually at our office, located at Twin Lakes Park. Come join us to learn about pollinators, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, and citizen science. You can make a difference!

Why Contribute?

Pollinators are precious and powerful. Over 80% 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 Southeast Pollinator Census provides an opportunity for citizen 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 Southeast 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 if you’re interested in learning more about the census process.

When is the Count?

Join us for our first annual Great Southeast Pollinator Census at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. The training event will include a short lecture, followed by open time to count pollinators in the gardens at our facility.

The training event will take place on Friday, August 23 from 8:30 to 11:00 am. Individuals can participate on Saturday, August 24 in any location they choose.

Learn more about the effort: https://gsepc.org/