CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Extension Office and the North Alabama Agriplex will host a Pollinator Count Party on Friday, Aug. 22, from 9–10 a.m. at the Agriplex as part of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a large-scale science project taking place across the region Aug. 22–23. The event is free for anyone who wants to attend.
“The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen-science opportunity to contribute local data into a much larger pool of data about our pollinator insects in the Southeast,” explained Dr. Kira Sims, Cullman County Extension director. “Similar to the Great Backyard Bird Count that occurs during the winter, this project gets folks out into their yards and communities to help identify and count how many pollinators they see.”
So how does someone participate? It’s simple: find a pollinator plant, observe it for 15 minutes, record the species of insects that land on it and upload the results at the Great Southeast Pollinator Census website: www.gsepc.org. The website also offers printable pollinator counting sheets and other resources to help participants identify insects.
For those who prefer to count alongside others, the Pollinator Count Party at the Agriplex will provide hands-on support. “Participants will receive brief training on insect ID, receive the counting sheet and pollinator seeds will be given away after the count,” Dr. Sims said. She added that she and Extension colleague Rachel will be on hand to help attendees choose good pollinator plants and identify insects.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone and everyone to help our pollinators,” she said. “The event offers flexibility with time and location — so anyone who can find a pollinator plant and 15 minutes can join in the count. The results will help us better understand what pollinators are out there and what flowers they are visiting, which will help in pollinator conservation.”
For more information, visit www.gsepc.org or call the Cullman County Extension Office at 256-737-9386.
The North Alabama Agriplex is located at 1714 Tally Ho St. SW, Cullman.
