🐝The Great Southeast Pollinator Census
A couple of weeks ago on Morning Mayhem, we had the chance to sit down with Lucy Ellington to talk about something pretty incredible happening right here in Alabama, The Great Southeast Pollinator Census! The 2026 census started TODAY and is again TOMORROW, August 21 & 22!
So what exactly is a pollinator census?
It’s a citizen-science project that gives everyday people the chance to help researchers learn more about the pollinators buzzing, fluttering and flying around our communities. And you DO NOT have to be a scientist, gardener or insect expert to participate!
Alabama joined the census for the first time in 2025, and WOW did Alabamians show up! Last year, residents submitted 2,867 counts from 55 of Alabama’s 67 counties, with more than 53,000 insects counted.
Pollinators play a huge role in our ecosystems and food systems, and this project is about more than just counting bugs. It’s about getting people outside, paying attention to nature, and understanding just how important these tiny creatures are. Unfortunately the official census count for this year is already full, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t participate on your own to practice for next year’s sign ups!
A HUGE thank you to Lucy for hanging out with us on Morning Mayhem and helping us learn a little more about the tiny creatures doing some very BIG work! ❤️
📸 Check out a few pictures from our visit to the census participant training that happened at Petals From The Past last month!
