Tips for Engagement:

• Host a Public Census Event: Designate specific areas within the garden for public counting sessions during the Census dates. Provide clear instructions, identification guides, and volunteers to assist.
• Educational Signage: Create engaging and informative signage near pollinator-friendly plantings, highlighting the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, the importance of pollinators, and the types of pollinators visitors might see.
• Guided Pollinator Walks: Offer guided tours focusing on pollinator-plant interactions and the role of the garden in supporting pollinator diversity. Incorporate Census participation into the tour.
• Workshops on Pollinator Gardening: Host workshops on creating pollinator habitats, native plant selection, and sustainable gardening practices, emphasizing how these actions support the Census goals.
• Promote Research: Highlight any internal research or partnerships with universities regarding pollinator health and biodiversity within the garden.
• Need some quick and easy resources for your Census event? Check out our Pollinator Outreach Kit item list.

Activities to Build Momentum:

• Pre-Census Pollinator Plantings: Dedicate a section of the garden to showcasing plants that will be in peak bloom during the Census dates, specifically labeling them as "Census Hotspots."
• "Meet the Pollinator" Series: Feature a different pollinator each week leading up to the Census through social media, educational displays, or short presentations.
• Volunteer Training: Train garden volunteers on pollinator identification and Census protocols so they can assist visitors during the count.

Utilizing Extension- and Research-Based Resources:

• NC Extension Pollinator Resources: Partner with local Extension Agents to promote their pollinator webinars and publications.
• University Research: Collaborate with university researchers to share insights from their studies on pollinator behavior and plant preferences relevant to the Southeast.
• Xerces Society Guides: Utilize their "Pollinator Conservation Resource Center" for region-specific plant lists and habitat establishment guides to inform your garden plantings.