The Great Georgia Pollinator Census is a community science project and in the past two years, more than 8,000 counts were submitted and more than 100,000 insects counted. Last year several elementary school classes joined the census and counted their insects at Wild Daisy Farm in Molena.
“It is hard to believe this is here already, the fourth annual Great Georgia Pollinator Census! This incredible citizen science project is truly unique. It allows anyone and everyone to participate by simply learning how to classify insects into eight categories such as honeybees, wasps and butterflies,” said UGA extension agent Brookelynn Wassel. “Due to its simplicity, it takes minimal time to understand the classifications before conducting a count.”
On Friday, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20, participants can choose any plant with pollinator activity, set an alarm for 15 minutes and start tallying insect visitors. Once the time is up, they need to ensure the data sheet is completed and either upload the numbers online or drop them off at the Pike County Extension office on Monday, Aug. 22.
Counters place the insects they see into one of eight categories, including bumble bees, carpenter bees, small bees, honey bees, wasps, flies, butterflies or moths and other insects. The goal of the project is to gather data on the pollinator insect population, to create pollinator habitats and to increase entomological literacy about insects. Find out more at https://GGaPC.org.
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