03/13/2026
Who is planting a pollinator garden this year?!?!
Something unusual just happened in North Carolina — and it wasn’t driven by politicians or corporations. It was regular people showing up for nature.
The state’s annual North Carolina Pollinator Count just shattered its previous record, with 5,067 pollinator counts submitted in 2024 — a 113% increase from the year before.
The community science event invites residents, schools, farmers, and gardeners to spend 15 minutes observing bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and report what they see. The goal is simple: help scientists understand how pollinator populations are changing across the state.
But this year something bigger happened.
Alongside the record participation, communities across North Carolina also created more than 160 new pollinator gardens — small habitats filled with native flowers that provide food and shelter for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Why does that matter? Because pollinators are responsible for helping produce about one-third of the food people eat, yet many species are facing pressure from habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.
Events like the Pollinator Count turn everyday residents into community scientists, collecting data while also restoring habitat right where they live.
It’s a reminder that conservation doesn’t always start in national parks or research labs.
Sometimes it starts with a backyard, a patch of flowers, and 15 minutes of paying attention. 🐝🌼
