RICHMOND COUNTY — Pollinators play a crucial ecological role by transferring pollen between flowers, enabling plants to reproduce by setting seed. In fact, more than 75% of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators. Without them, we would not have many of the foods, fibers, or medicines we use today.
Bees may be the most recognizable pollinators, but insects like butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, and flies are equally important. However, insects aren’t the only pollinators, birds, bats, and rodents can also facilitate the transfer of pollen from one flower to another flower.
Flower preferences for pollinators vary, meaning you can plant specific plants to attract specific pollinators. For example, bees prefer blue, purple, and yellow blooms with sweet or minty scents. The flowers they forage on must be open during the day and have sturdy landing pads. Butterflies are attracted to red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple flowers that bloom during the day. They visit both narrow, tubular and wide, flat blooms. Moths are mostly nocturnal so they seek out fragrant pale or white flowers that are open in the evening or night hours. Beetles are attracted to cup shaped flowers with exposed stamens and pistols that are green or white such as magnolias.
Pollinator populations have been declining. Fortunately, you can help monitor and support them by participating in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 21 and 22, 2026. Organized by the University of Georgia Extension, this citizen-science effort gathers data to help researchers conserve insect populations. Citizen Scientists from all over the Southeast will spend 15 minutes observing flowers and the diverse pollinators that visit them.
How it works:
1. Find a plant that has insects landing on it (Check out your backyard, local park, botanical garden, nature trail, etc.)
2. Get an official datasheet, pencil and maybe a drink and chair.
3. Fill out the basic information on the datasheet.
4. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
5. Put a tally mark next to the type of insect you see each time it lands on the plant (EVEN if you think it is the SAME insect).
6. After the 15 minutes is up, enter your data online.
Participants do not need to have previous insect identification skills as the count categories are straightforward and easy for anyone to learn. The datasheet breaks the insects down into categories. These categories include carpenter bees, bumble bees, honey bees, small bees which are any bees smaller than a honey bee, wasps, flies, butterflies & moths, and other insects. If an insect moves too quickly to identify with certainty, simply count it under the broader “other insects” category. If you still are not confident in your identification skills, there are many online references you can check out to help you prepare.
To get your garden ready or to create a garden for the Census, focus on building a habitat that supports beneficial insects year-round. Also, be sure to include perennial plants that bloom during late August. Some great selections include mountain mint, blazing star, milkweeds, coneflowers, and black-eyed Susans. When you plant a diverse mix of blooms, you create a habitat that provides continuous forage for your pollinators which makes a great Census count site.
To create a truly welcoming habitat, look at how you manage our landscape beyond what is planted. Minimize or eliminate the use of insecticides and broad-spectrum sprays to protect the insects visiting your garden. While controlling pests, some sprays can linger on plant foliage and harm beneficial species. If pest management is necessary, use integrated pest management approaches. Also remember to provide overwintering habitat by leaving leaf litter around your beds and place shallow water stations around your landscape so insects can drink without being in danger of slipping in and drowning.
Beyond counting, you can make an impact by planting a pollinator garden in your own yard, spread the word by telling friends, family, and neighbors, or host a group census event to get your community involved. For more information about gardening with pollinators in mind or to participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, contact the Richmond County Cooperative Extension Office at (910) 997-8255 or reach out to Kinsey Watkins directly at kinsey_watkins@ncsu.edu.
To learn more about workshops and education offered visit our Facebook and check out our Events page on our website.