Citizen Science at Work: The 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census

COBB COUNTY, GA, June 18, 2025 – The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, Inc. (MGVOCC) are once again proud to join fellow citizen scientists across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama for the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 22 and 23. This fun, fast, and impactful community science project invites everyone to spend just 15 minutes counting pollinator insects to support vital ecosystem research and conservation efforts.

What is the Pollinator Census?

Launched in 2019 with more than 4,000 participants across 134 of Georgia’s 159 counties, the Pollinator Census has grown into a regional effort with thousands of volunteers helping document the insects that keep our gardens blooming and our food supply secure.

The actual count takes just 15 minutes, making it an ideal activity for individuals, families, school groups, scout troops, garden clubs, and community organizations. Participants simply observe a plant, identify visiting insects using resources provided online, and submit their data.

Learn more and get ready to count at https://gsepc.org. Resources include identification guides, how-to videos, printable tally sheets, and fun ideas for involving kids and neighbors.

You can also learn more from the MGVOCC-hosted Grow Virtually webinar, "Great Southeast Pollinator Census - Citizen Science at Work!” on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 pm featuring Becky Griffin, UGA Extension’s Pollinator Census National Coordinator. Becky will share insights about pollinator ecology and how everyone can make a difference and contribute to the 2025 Great Southeast Pollinator Census. You can register for this “how-to” webinar at https://bit.ly/2025GSEPC-Webinar.

Count at Home or Join a Counting Event Near You

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census relies on the help of UGA Extension agents, Master Gardeners, teachers, students, nature lovers, stay-at-home parents, 9-to-5ers, retirees, and everyone in between. Whether counting pollinators solo, with a school group, or as part of a community event, your efforts will make a difference.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census is a fun, hands-on way for people of all ages to contribute to scientific research by identifying and counting pollinators in their own backyards, schools, neighborhoods, and community spaces. By participating, you’ll help collect valuable data that supports pollinator conservation across the region.

“We’re so pleased to be participating in this citizen science project,” says Janis Hylton, President of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County. “It’s easy and fun, and the results give important information to aid in environmental conservation efforts. Please join us at a garden near you or do it from home!”

MGVOCC invites the public to join them for Census Counting Sessions at the following nine Cobb County community gardens on the day and times listed below. Stop by anytime during the window—each count takes only 15 minutes!

Friday, August 22, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Wright Environmental Education Center, 2661 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta 30062
• Wildlife and Rain Garden, 622 South Cobb Dr, Marietta 30060
• William Root House Museum and Garden, 80 North Marietta Parkway, Marietta 30060
• North Marietta Neighborhood Garden, 341 Pine St, Marietta 30060
• Reconnecting Our Roots Community Garden, 271 Lemon Street, Marietta 30060

Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Wellness Garden at Cobb County Farm Bureau, 2850 Powder Springs Road SW, Marietta 30064
• McFarlane Nature Park, 280 Farm Road SE, Marietta 30067
• Green Meadows Preserve Community Garden, 3780 Dallas Highway, Marietta 30127

Friday, August 22, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:30 am and 12:30-2:30 pm
Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm
• Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075

Learn More

• The Great Southeast Pollinator Census - https://gsepc.org/
• Insect Counting and Identification Guide - https://gsepc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/GSePC-Counting-Guide.pdf
• Counting sheet - https://gsepc.org/wp-content/u...
• Census Data Results 2019-2024 - https://gsepc.org/census-data-...
• Southeast Pollinator Census Facebook Group -https://www.facebook.com/group...
• Instagram @SoutheastPollinators - https://www.instagram.com/sout...
• Eco-Friendly Garden: Attracting Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Other Natural Predators - https://secure.caes.uga.edu/ex...
• How to Join the Count -

• Mastering the Pollinator Census: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Count

• The Great Pollinator Census —Educators and Non-Profits

About the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC):

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County (MGVOCC) support the University of Georgia Extension by promoting the knowledge of and interest in gardening to our members and the community with unbiased, research-based horticultural information, educational programs and projects. In 1980, the UGA Extension Service, as the community outreach arm of the University of Georgia, established the Master Gardener Program in Cobb County. Since that time, the Cobb program has trained and graduated approximately 25 Master Gardeners annually. In January of 1989, a non-profit organization called Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, Inc. (MGVOCC) was formed to promote and raise funds to support horticulture education programs and 15 community and demonstration gardens throughout Cobb County. In 2024, more than 220 active MGVOCC members collectively donate more than 17,000 volunteer hours annually to the Cobb community.

For more information about MGVOCC or to sign up for the monthly newsletter, visit www.cobbmastergardeners.com. For gardening questions, consult UGA Publications at
http://extension.uga.edu/publications or contact the Master Gardener Help Desk, UGA Extension, Cobb County at 770-528-4070 or e-mail questions and pictures to CobbExtensionANR@UGA.edu. Visit the Cobb Extension office at 678 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, 2nd floor, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.