Eastertigerswallowtail 20240331 113031 Scaled E1755656217388 Alabama, Wildlife — The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is Alabama’s State Butterfly. (The Bama Buzz)

From butterflies to bees, pollinators are a common sight in your backyard—but on August 22–23, those everyday sightings can help make a big difference. For the first time ever, Alabama is joining The Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a regional effort to track and support pollinator populations.

Keep reading to discover how you can take part in this exciting event and contribute valuable data just by observing and recording the pollinators you see!

Get ready to count!

Butterfly 20220905 125157 Alabama, Wildlife — Gulf Fritillary Butterfly (The Bama Buzz)

The count began when coordinator Becky Griffin noticed that while school and community gardeners knew about soil and plants, they lacked knowledge about pollinators.

Launched in 2019 with over 4,000 participants, the event grew to 6,000 by 2021. It then expanded state by state—South Carolina in 2022, North Carolina in 2023, Florida in 2024 and now, Alabama in 2025.

The census aims to enhance pollinator habitats, boost public understanding of insects and gather valuable data on pollinator populations.

Here’s how you can join:

Sign up on the official website, where you’ll download the printable counting sheet + upload your counts
Bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths + more all count
You can submit separate observations from each blooming plant
Organizers also encourage uploads on the Southeast Pollinator Census Facebook page
Check out this quick + easy how-to video: Mastering the Pollinator Census: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Count

You’ll be able to upload your counts on August 22nd!

Support backyard pollinators

Bee On Flower — Bees are essential backyard pollinators. (Audrey Kent / The Bama Buzz)

Pollinators, especially native bee species we rely on, have been declining across the country due to a range of environmental threats. The good news? Adding more flowers and native plants to your backyard not only supports these vital insects—it also brings more color and life to your outdoor space!

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that planting small habitats rich in different flower species elevated bee numbers and diversity over a three-year period.

Here are just a few plants pollinators love: