Join citizen scientists at work during the Great Southeast Pollinator Census this August. Spend 15 minutes logging the pollinators you see at your home, school or workplace and submit the results to our database — it's that easy!
Why is Pollination Important?
Pollinators play important roles in biodiversity, crop production, and even the economy. A 2014 economic impact study by University of Georgia experts determined that the annual value of pollination to Georgia is over $360 million. Even better? The services pollinators provide is totally free.
Pollination is key to seed production, and without pollinators like hummingbirds, bees, ants, butterflies, wasps, and many others, our favorite fruits and vegetables would never make it to our tables. Pollinators are also key to the survival of wild plant species, they help to control pests that destroy agricultural crops and they help in decomposition, which is extremely important in crop production because the process aerates the soil.
Although wasps, ants, and bees don’t yield warm and fuzzy feelings for most people, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Pollinator populations are decreasing. Not only in population, but also in diversity. Research from UGA is helping to identify not only the reasons behind the decline, but also what homeowners can do to help them.
Guidelines and How-Tos
-
Visual Guide to Common Bees of Blueberry Fields in Southeast Georgia (C 1295) Additional author: Michael Ulyshen, Research Entomologist, U.S. Forest Service. This visual guide helps people identify common wild bees encountered in blueberry systems. The contribution of wild bees…
-
Creating Pollinator Nesting Boxes to Help Native Bees (C 1125) Planting pollinator-friendly flowers in your yard is a great first step for improving the quality of pollinator habitats. Adding nesting sites and nesting materials is another important measure in cre…
-
Selecting Trees and Shrubs as Resources for Pollinators (B 1483) We can positively affect pollinator populations in our region by providing plants that help sustain them. Pollinators face the increasing challenges of habitat loss, parasite and disease pressure, and…
-
Visual Guide to Common Wildflowers of South Georgia (C 1288) Wildflowers not only beautify the landscape but also provide food and shelter for myriad insects, birds, and mammals. Georgia is rich in endemic (belonging in a particular area or environment) species…
-
Eco-Friendly Garden: Attracting Pollinators, Beneficial Insects, and Other Natural Predators (B 1456) A pollinator-friendly and ecologically sustainable garden is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This publication is based on new resea…
-
Management of Turfgrass Insect Pests and Pollinator Protection (C 1127) Turfgrass is an important component of many landscapes. Research has shown that landscapes support diverse, abundant, and intact bee communities in New York, California, and Ohio. In fact, the abundan…
Protecting Pollinators Video
Here's how you can help Georgia's pollinator populations.
Related Programs from UGA Extension
-
Master Beekeeper A program to increase knowledge of bees and beekeeping.
-
On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many county offices for ag producers.
-
On-Site and Telephone Consultation Available in many situations for home owners and consumers.
-
Pesticide Safety Education Program Topics include pest identification, storage and disposal, pesticide drift and runoff prevention, water quality protection, and food safety.
-
Structural Pest Management Program The Structural Pest Management Program on the UGA Griffin campus is dedicated to the continuing education and training of employees of all of Georgia's pest management companies. Annually, more than 65 continuing education hours are available to Georgia's registered and certified pest management company employees through a multitude of training programs.
News from UGA Extension
Related UGA Websites
Connect to Protect This program assists gardeners in creating pollinator spaces and allows them to certify their gardens.
UGA Bee Program Information on beekeeping in Georgia, honey bee research, and graduate studies.
UGA Department of Entomology Learn more about the entomology department at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Sustainable Agriculture at UGA Brings together information on sustainable agriculture including organic agriculture, pollinators, and other resources.
Pollinator Coloring sheets
Click the image to download the PDF file to print. (Designs by Alafia Adeleke)
Wildflower Coloring Sheet
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Coloring Sheet