How can a single backyard help save pollinators? It starts with a 15-minute count.
Since 2022, the Great Southeast Pollinator Census has transformed how we understand our local environment. By moving science out of the research plot and into the hands of thousands of community members, we have documented over 1.2 million insects across 66,000 individual counts in NC, SC, GA, FL, and AL.
Now, we are gearing up for the 2026 Census, and we want YOU to be part of the movement in North Carolina!
It is official Earth Month, Volunteer Appreciation Month AND Citizen Science Month, so what better time than to ride that wave and get prepared for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in August!
Register for the Kick-Off Webinar on April 15!
I have started to get emails about the GSEPC in NC, so folks are starting to wake up with the Spring. We are hosting a high-impact informational webinar about the Census on April 15th from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., and I’d love for you and your pollinator peers to join us.
Whether your community members want to count in their own backyards or you want to host a major event at your demonstration garden, this webinar will give you the roadmap. This will be a great way to get an overview of the project, get some inspiration and get started on planning your programming for the summer.
Register for the webinar
It is open to everyone! It will also be recorded.
Let’s make 2026 the year we put all 100 NC counties on the map and surpass 10,00 counts. I hope to see you there!
What is the Great Southeast Pollinator Census?
The Census is a massive, community science data-collection effort that helps scientists track pollinator visitations across the Southeast. It is designed so that anyone—regardless of scientific background—can participate and contribute meaningful data.
In this 90-minute informational webinar, we will cover:
- The Basics: Learn the simple 15-minute method for counting pollinators in your own garden or local park.
- Identification 101: How to tell a bumblebee from a carpenter bee (and why it matters!).
- Hosting for Success: Everything you need to know to host a counting event for your school, church, neighborhood, or business.
- Beyond the Count: What else can you do to help pollinators in your community!
Who should attend?
Any and all are welcome! This webinar is perfect for:
- Individual gardeners and nature enthusiasts.
- Teachers and youth group leaders.
- Community organizers and local business owners.
- Anyone interested in "extending the reach" of conservation in North Carolina.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Location: Online (Link provided upon registration)
Join Amanda Bratcher, GSEPC coordinator for North Carolina and horticulture agents of the NC Cooperative Extension in Lee County, to learn how you can help scale research impact from the garden to the entire Southeast. Let’s make 2026 a record-breaking year for our pollinators!
