Tips for Engagement:

• Lead City-Wide Counting Events: Coordinate multiple public counting sites across the city (parks, community gardens, public spaces) on Census dates, making it a highly visible community-wide effort.
• Promote Through City Channels: Utilize official city websites, social media, newsletters, and public announcement boards to heavily promote the Census and encourage broad community participation.
• Host Educational Workshops: Partner with local Extension offices, Extension Master Gardener volunteers, or botanical gardens to offer workshops on pollinator identification, habitat creation, and the importance of community science.
• Recognize Top Counters/Participants: Create a friendly competition or offer recognition for individuals, families, or groups that contribute the most data to incentivize participation.
• Showcase Pollinator Habitats: Highlight the city's pollinator-friendly initiatives (e.g., native plant installations, pesticide-free zones) as ideal Census counting locations.
• Generic Guidance about what makes a Successful Census Program for Community Organizers
• Generic Guidance about what makes a Successful Census Program for Conservation Organizations
• Need some quick and easy resources for your Census event? Check out our Pollinator Outreach Kit item list.

Activities to Build Momentum:

• "Pollinator Week" Celebration (June): Integrate Census promotion into your annual Pollinator Week activities, generating excitement well in advance.
• City-Wide Native Plant Sale/Giveaway: Organize events focused on distributing native, pollinator-friendly plants to residents, providing them with perfect Census counting spots.
• "Meet Your Local Pollinators" Series: Host a series of short educational talks or online posts featuring common pollinators found in the city.
• Volunteer Recruitment & Training: Recruit and train city volunteers to help organize and staff Census counting stations, providing guidance to community members.

Utilizing Extension- and Research-Based Resources:

• NC State Extension Urban Horticulture: Leverage their expertise and publications on urban pollinator habitats and sustainable landscaping.
• Xerces Society "Bee City USA Pollinator Protection & Habitat Restoration": Utilize their comprehensive guides on creating and managing pollinator habitats suitable for urban environments.
• GSePC Website Resources: Share the GSePC's "Resources for Educators" and "Insect Counting and Identification Guide" widely through city platforms.
• Partner with Local Universities: Collaborate with university researchers to analyze local Census data and share insights on urban pollinator populations.