The Great Florida Pollinator Census is an initiative to promote pollinator science to our communities with three general objectives: increase pollinator habitats, educate the public on the importance of insects to our ecosystems, and provide useful data to research through you, the Citizen Scientist.

What an easy way to learn common insects and butterflies, while providing important data to researchers.  I heard from last years’ 2023 census; the Zebra Longwing Butterfly was seen in north Georgia close to bordering South Carolina. New information like this, tracking populations can help gauge the health of a larger environment, by watching declines in pollinator numbers, or the response to changing climate conditions for example seeing the Longwing Butterfly travel so far north. Any data provided is critical to support a vast range of environmental management efforts.  The annual two-day event, this year (August 23rd and 24^th) is to be active at a multitude of locations throughout Florida. Check with your local County Extension office for a planned Pollinator County Party near you. Anyone can participant; just sit in front of a plant whether it be on personal property, community garden or public location, for fifteen minutes using official pollinator count sheets, make slash marks next to photo’s listed of the insects you observe.  Then upload that count on the website: http://gsepc.org. Also visit the website for detail instructions on ‘how to’, print out the census count sheets and insect ID sheets. On August 23^rd the site will go ‘live’ where you can click on red tab to upload your counts.  EVERY COUNT COUNTS!

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