University of Georgia students, staff and faculty are invited to help with the first-ever statewide census of Georgia Pollinators.

With just 15 minutes and proximity to any blooming plant, Georgians can help UGA Cooperative Extension researchers gain a clearer picture of pollinator health across our state.

On Aug. 23 and 24, UGA Extension and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Protect to Connect program are hosting on-campus pollinator counts as part of UGA Extension Great Georgia Pollinator Census. 

The census is a statewide pollinator count modeled after Cornell University's Great Backyard Bird Count. Citizen scientists from schools, garden clubs and conservation groups will spend 15 minutes on Aug. 23 and 24 watching one blooming plant and keeping track of the pollinators they see. This information will be compiled with data from observers from across the state to give researchers a clearer picture of pollinator health in Georgia’s cities, rural areas and suburbs.

Georgians can count by themselves in their back or front yards or join a group count. UGA group counts will be held on the Athens campus between 9 and 10:30 a.m. and between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the native pollinator garden between the Pharmacy South and Environmental Health Sciences buildings.

Organizers will provide clipboards and help with pollinator identification during the 15-minute count. Participants can RSVP to Lauren Mueller at [email protected].