The Gainesville Garden Club will host a free community Pollinator Party on Saturday, Aug. 22, allowing residents to participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census while learning more about the insects that help support local ecosystems.
The event will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Gainesville Garden Club, 1350 NW 75th St., on the club’s butterfly sanctuary and clubhouse grounds. No registration is required and parking is free.
The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a citizen science project that invites community members to observe and document pollinators. Florida is participating in the census for the third year.
During the event, Gainesville Garden Club leaders will help participants select a plant that is attracting insects for nectar or pollen. Participants will learn how to distinguish among four categories of pollinators, including bees, wasps, flies, butterflies and moths.
Participants then will spend 15 minutes observing their selected plant and tallying each pollinator that lands on it. The results will be submitted to the Great Southeast Pollinator Census using a QR code or online form.
The organizers said the activity is simple enough for participants to repeat at home and is designed to help residents become more comfortable sharing their outdoor spaces with pollinators.
Pollinators generally prefer plants in sunny locations, so participants are encouraged to bring a hat and reading glasses if needed. Water will be available, although attendees may bring their own beverages.
The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Parking is accessible, although attendees should be aware that uneven natural surfaces lead to the butterfly and wildflower gardens.
More information about the Great Southeast Pollinator Census is available at Great Southeast Pollinator Census. A short instructional video demonstrating how to participate is available on YouTube.