Pollinator PLUS Adds Up to a Big Count! 🐝🦋

Workshops
Written By Kelly Vendetti
Yellow butterfly feeding on a bright orange zinnia during the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
Pollinator Census participants observe and count pollinators among colorful flowers in the Brunswick County Botanical Garden.
Pollinator Census participants explore the Botanical Garden behind the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension sign.
Pollinator Census participants search flowering plants for pollinators in the Botanical Garden.
Citizen scientists use count sheets to identify and record pollinators among flowering plants in the Botanical Garden.

Photo Credit: Nicole Gibbs, NC State Extension

The pollinators were busy—and so were our counters! Our Pollinator PLUS Workshop, held in conjunction with the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, combined pollinator education with hands-on observation in the Botanical Garden. Workshop participants learned about the importance of pollinators and the plants that support them before heading into the garden to contribute real-world data to the Census.

And there was plenty to count! Our morning crew recorded 1,136 pollinators, mostly butterflies, while the afternoon crew counted 1,301, mostly bees and wasps—for an impressive 2,437 pollinators observed in one day! The data collected through the Census helps scientists track pollinator populations, identify trends, and inform conservation efforts.

A big thank-you to Krys, Vicki, and all the volunteers and Extension staff who helped make the workshop a success, including Nicole who captured the day in photos. Enjoy a few of her pictures below!

🌼 Proceeds from the workshop support Cooperative Extension outreach and educational programs.

Participants observe and record pollinators visiting a large patch of black-eyed Susans during the Pollinator Census.
Master Gardener volunteer assists a Pollinator Census participant as they observe and record pollinators in the Botanical Garden.
Kelly Vendetti
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