• Home
  • Services
  • Free Estimates
  • Photo Gallery
  • News And Blog
  • Reviews
  • About
  • Contact
News and Blog Articles

The Great Georgia Pollinator Census

8/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
​You’ve heard of the census, of course. Periodically, we all respond to a variety of questions that help keep our country up-to-date. But have you heard of the Great Georgia Pollinator Census? 

​What is the Great Georgia Pollinator Census? 

Once a year, the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences organizes the Great Georgia Pollinator Census, or GGAPC for short. This project catalogues the pollinator population in our state by recording the frequency with which different pollinators visit pollen-bearing plants. 

​Why is that important? 

​Pollinators are, of course, vital to their ecosystems, but they are also vital to our way of life. There are more than 180,000 species that pollinators visit to assist with their reproductive process. 1,200 of those species are major crops that sustain our society! To put that in perspective, think of it this way: approximately 1 out of every 3 bites of food you take is thanks to pollinators. 
Picture
In addition to supporting our food supply, pollinators also ensure the continuation of all life on earth. That may sound drastic, but without pollinators assisting them, somewhere between 75% to 95% of all plant life wouldn’t be able to reproduce, which means their species would die out. Plants produce the oxygen we breathe and help keep the air clean. No plants means no oxygen, and no oxygen means no humans!

​How can you help? 

​Contributing to the pollinator census is easy, especially with  the GGAPC’s helpful census worksheet !

​On August 20th or August 21st, go outside and sit in view of a pollinator plant. It can be your favorite flowering bush in your garden, a cluster of wildflowers on the sidewalk, or something found at the local park. 
Picture
For 15 minutes, watch your chosen plant and write down the pollinators that land there. The census categorizes pollinators like this: 
  • Bumble bees
  • Carpenter bees
  • Honey bees
  • Small bees
  • Wasps
  • Flies
  • Butterflies
  • Other Insects
​Keep a tally for each category, and when your 15 minutes are up, submit the numbers you recorded to the Great Georgia Pollinator Census’s website. 

​Can anyone participate?

Picture
​Yes! You don’t have to be an entomologist (someone who studies bugs) to help out with the census. 
If you’re still unsure about the different categories of pollinators, the GGAPC has a detailed guide with pictures, descriptions, and other information to help you figure things out. You can also check out their video guide on YouTube for a walk-through of the process.  

​What about kids? 

​Absolutely! The GGAPC encourages kids across the state to join in (with parental supervision, of course). This project is a great way to get kids outdoors and engaged with the natural world around them. It also makes for a great introductory STEM exercise, and is perfect for class activities as well as at-home adventuring. 
If you’re interested in participating in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census, check out their website for more information at GGAPC.org. You can also visit their Facebook group for updates, event details, and other fun community activities!

Looking for more ways to contribute?

Picture
One of the best things to do for pollinators is to grow them some food! Check out our article on what to plant to attract pollinators so you can support their population, and enjoy some pretty flowers to boot!

Author

Emily Casuccio is sister and sister-in-law to Rebekah and Scott Rushing, and has over half a decade of experience in copywriting, copyediting, proofreading, and developmental storyboarding. She's worked with both published and undiscovered authors on both fiction and nonfiction, and takes pride in supporting local businesses. Her passion lies in the written word and helping authors of all capacities realize their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. To learn more about her, read samples of her work, or contact her, visit her online portfolio.

 Sources:
The Great Georgia Pollinator Census
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Arboriculture Today
    Current News
    Job Spotlight
    Small Business News
    Tree Of The Month

    Archives

    January 2023
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    January 2019
    April 2018
    February 2017
    December 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

Logo
Contact Form

Classic city arborists

P.O. Box 1754
Watkinsville, GA 30677
ClassicCityArborists@gmail.com

Office Phone

(706) 410-0227

scott rushing, Owner

(706) 340-9370

23   Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 
24   since you know that you will receive an inheritance  from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 
​ Colossians 3:23-24

  • Home
  • Services
  • Free Estimates
  • Photo Gallery
  • News And Blog
  • Reviews
  • About
  • Contact