Anyone with a spare 15 minutes and a flowering plant can contribute to real scientific research this month. The Great Southeast Pollinator Census returns Friday and Saturday, August 21-22, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is inviting residents of all ages to take part.
Participants choose a flowering plant, watch it for 15 minutes, and count and identify every pollinator that lands, including bees, butterflies, flies, wasps and beetles. Observations are then uploaded at gsepc.org, where the data helps researchers understand and conserve pollinator populations across the Southeast.
No gardening experience is required, and families, students and 4-H clubs are encouraged to make the count a group outing.
Counting sheets and more information are available at aces.edu/go/GreatSoutheastPollinatorCensus.
The census is presented by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, a partnership of Alabama A&M and Auburn universities, along with University of Georgia Extension.
