Get ready to level up your pollinator knowledge! We are thrilled to announce the return of our annual Knowledge is Pollinator Power (KPP) webinar for its fourth consecutive year.
This webinar marks a week until the Great Southeast Pollinator Census and connects formal researchers to the community scientists of the Census through a shared forum to get an update about cutting edge pollinator and gardening research.
Whether you are a home gardener, an Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteer, a land manager, or simply fascinated by the wild world of bugs and blooms, this year’s lineup promises fresh research, practical backyard strategies, and fascinating insights into how insects interact with the plants around us.
This year, we have brought together three incredible local experts spanning forestry, entomology, horticultural research, and native garden design. Here is a sneak peek at what’s on the schedule:
Headshot of Dr. Kelly Oten
1. From Mexico to Your Backyard: Supporting Monarch Butterflies
Presented by Dr. Kelly Oten
Every year, millions of monarch butterflies complete one of nature's most incredible feats: traveling thousands of miles to overwinter in the mountains of central Mexico. Along the way, they face daunting hurdles, including habitat loss, extreme weather events, and shrinking food supplies. Dr. Oten will walk us through the monarch's epic journey and share simple, actionable steps you can take in North Carolina to design monarch-friendly landscapes that support conservation.
About the Speaker: Dr. Kelly Oten is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Forest Health at NC State University, specializing in invasive insects and tree health across NC. In addition to guiding landowners, arborists, and communities on tree care, Dr. Oten leads a Study Abroad trip to Mexico each year to witness the overwintering monarch butterflies firsthand!
Action Shot of Bill Reynolds
2. Insects are Better Botanists Than Humans: Pollinator Conservation & Lepidoptera
Presented by Bill Reynolds
Humans have spent centuries building complex taxonomic systems to categorize plants. Yet despite decades of computer models and DNA sequencing, insects still understand plant relationships far better than we do! In this talk, Bill will focus on Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) from egg to adult, revealing their complex evolutionary bonds with host plants. You’ll learn how to identify common butterflies and moths in your yard or garden and how to tailor your space for maximum species diversity.
About the Speaker: Bill Reynolds is a lifelong naturalist, consulting entomologist, and former Curator of the Arthropod Zoo at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Most recently retired as Horticultural Supervisor at Juniper Level Botanic Garden, Bill brings decades of hands-on expertise—and a personal collection of over 20,000 insect specimens!
Portrait of Maegan Luckett
3. Insect- and Human-Informed Garden Design: Do Humans & Pollinators Like the Same Aesthetic?
Presented by Maegan Luckett
Back by popular demand! Maegan returns to the KPP series with the final results of her Master’s research, which she first introduced to us back in 2023. In summer 2025, she set out to answer a fascinating question: Do humans and pollinators prefer the same garden design styles? By recording insect visitation across three distinct garden designs and surveying human participants on aesthetic appeal, Maegan uncovered where human taste and pollinator preference overlap. Tune in to see the big reveal!
About the Speaker: Maegan Luckett is the Horticulturist for the Blomquist Garden of Southeastern Native Plants at Duke Gardens. She completed her Master of Horticulture degree at NC State in May 2026, where her research focused on the intersection of insect pollination behavior and horticultural design.
Reserve Your Spot Today!
Space is limited, and you won't want to miss this afternoon of engaging science, practical gardening tips, and lively Q&A.
Can't make it live? Register anyway to ensure you receive the recording and post-webinar resources directly in your inbox!
Don't Forget: Count on August 21 and 22 with the Great Southeast Pollinator Census!
Participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census is very simple! You don't need an official event to make your count count! Anyone living in NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, or MS can participate right from their home garden, balcony, or neighborhood park.
How to Participate in the Census in Four Easy Steps:
Choose a Plant: Find a blooming flower in your backyard, a community garden, a local library, or a nearby park.
Observe for 15 Minutes: Watch the blooms closely for 15 minutes on August 21 or 22.
Tally Target Insects: Record each time an insect lands on your plant using the official Census Datasheet. Categories include: Bumble Bees, Honey Bees, Small Bees, Carpenter Bees, Wasps, Flies, Butterflies/Moths, and Other Insects. Learn about the different insects with our new Insect ID Guide for NC!
Submit Data Online: Log your insect counts at gsepc.org(the submission form opens on August 21 and stays open for about two weeks after the Census to aid in data entry).
Interactive Event Map
Want to count alongside Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers, local experts, and fellow nature enthusiasts? More than 50 (so far!) public events, workshops, and counting stations are scheduled across North Carolina for 2026!
There are pre-Census educational opportunities and workshops happening prior to and during the Census weekend. Check out the map to learn what is happening in your local community!
Are you hosting an event? If you want to host an event or are hosting a private event, let us know on ourevent submission form!
For more information, insect identification guides, and resources about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in NC, visit the North Carolina GSEPC Website.
