The US census is only recorded every 10 years, but the even more important (just a joke) Great Florida Pollinator Census is held every year. After all, all of the monarch butterflies, honey bees, dragonflies, beetles, and even flies call the Sunshine State home too.

What is it?

Homeowners — or anyone that has a little yard space — log the various bugs that drop in to visit their flowers and plants within 15-minute periods during the Friday, Aug. 21-Saturday, Aug. 22 census. The goals is to help Florida researchers better understand pollinator populations across the Southeast, because it would be nearly impossible "for scientists to monitor pollinator activity across an entire region," according to UF IFAS.

How does it work?

Select one plant in your yard to watch for 15 minutes and note the insects that land on your data sheet. Yes, you can pick more than one to watch over the time frame, just fill out a new sheet for each plant. Not up on your bugs? This guide shares tips for counting and identifying insects. But don't worry, you really just need to categorize them. Submit your sheets to the online citizen portal, which opens on Friday, Aug. 21.

Attractor more pollinators next season

If you want to attract more butterflies, plant flowers of a plethora of heights and bloom size and that bloom from March through November, according to the Florida Wildflower Foundation.
If you want to attract more bees, plant purple, blue, violet, white and yellow flowers of varying heights, the Foundation recommends.
Before you get those gloves muddy, check out these tips for TBAY gardening — including our spot on the US Department of Agriculture's Plant Hardiness Zone Map, the best native plants to consider, and free classes.