Help save insects in Wilmington by taking part in a 'pollinator census'

Pollinators such as insects are to thank for one out of every three bites of food that we eat. They keep many of our food sources growing and thriving through the process of pollination. These creatures are vital to our food supply and maintaining healthy ecosystems, however their population is declining for reasons including loss of habitat, pesticides and disease. The good news is that all of us can play a role in saving the pollinators.

One way to help is to participate in citizen science projects like the annual Great Southeastern Pollinator Census taking place Aug. 23-24. On these two days, people of all ages in North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida are encouraged to observe insects on one pollinator plant for 15 minutes, record the number of insects that land on the plant, and upload the results onto the Pollinator Census website. You do not have to be an entomologist, and no experience is necessary.

The goals of the Pollinator Census are to create a sustainable pollinator habitat through education, increase public knowledge of insects, and generate data about our pollinators that can be used to learn more about our pollinator populations. In 2023, 12,293 people counted 253,443 pollinators during the two day-event. You can participate in this year’s Pollinator Census as an individual or group, in your own yard or neighborhood, or visit one of our many county parks and green spaces.

The pollinator gardens at Airlie Gardens and the New Hanover County Arboretum are also great places to participate in the Pollinator Census and learn about pollinator plants. Learn more about the Pollinator Census and download helpful resources at https://gsepc.org/ .

If you would like to participate in a more formal educational event, New Hanover County Parks and Gardens is offering three Pollinator Census events that are open to the public. At each event, environmental educators will provide a lesson on the importance of pollinators and walk participants through how to participate in the census. Participants will then take part in the census alongside the educators.

Two events will take place at Airlie Gardens, 300 Airlie Road, on Friday, Aug. 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24 from 2-3:30 p.m. The cost is $10/adults, $5/New Hanover County residents and military, and $3 for ages 4-12, and garden admission is included. The third event will take place at Smith Creek Park, 633 Shenandoah St., on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. and is free to attend.  All three programs require advance registration at https://airliegardens.org/events/pollinatorcensus/ .

The Great Southeastern Pollinator Census is just one way to take part in saving our pollinators. There are other ways to help including planting native plants to attract pollinators and spreading the word to others about how important these small creatures are to our community.

Jodi Rich is guest services manager of Airlie Gardens, located at 300 Airlie Road. The gardens are open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact her at jorich@nhcgov.com or 910-798-7709.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Help save insects in Wilmington by taking part in a 'pollinator census'