It was a chance to observe nature in action and give a valuable assist to an inaugural state initiative.
Students in Thomas County Central High School agricultural education teacher Nikki Smith’s classes took part in The Great Georgia Pollinator Census Friday, Aug. 23.
“First, I wanted them to have an up-close and personal experience watching our honeybees and other pollinators in action,” Smith said. “Second is that I want them to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This is the first-ever pollinator census, and our students can be a part of that. They are helping our environment and aiding future research projects for pollinators. Third is this activity showed the impact that our pollinators have on our community and environment. Students were able to interact with these insects and realize their importance as well as abundance.”
Each student received a pollinator insect identification guide and observation sheet. The page asked for information such as garden/location size, the weather and temperature, types of insects observed and if any honeybees lived within five miles of the observation site. TCCHS has a honeybee apiary for which it received funding in 2018.
Students spent 15 minutes walking through the on-campus garden – the Tall Timbers forestry plot featuring native plant specimens installed earlier this year – logging all insects seen during that time frame. Then, everyone returned to the classroom and discussed the most commonly observed specimens.
“We then transferred our information on our observation sheets to the computer survey form to turn in to the University of Georgia,” Smith said.
Types of insects observed by TCCHS students included carpenter bee, bumblebee, honey bee, small bee, wasps, flies and butterflies/moths.
“I thought the activity was a good way to learn about different pollinators,” student Allison White said. “I learned the difference between different types of bees, as well as wasps and other pollinators. Also, I learned which insects are most common in our area.”
Student Jason Benton called it fun to help the community and learn more about pollinators.
“I enjoyed going and being outside,” Benton said. “It was a good experience watching the wildlife. I was marking the pollinators, and it was interesting watching the different insects do their jobs in the environment. I learned that there are many different pollinators than just bees. I've always thought it was just bees, but I know now that there is much more.”
Gracelynn Lima says it was fun and interesting to observe the insects. She even saw a few types for the first time.
“I climbed through the middle of the garden, and I enjoyed that every time I took a step, I saw a different insect,” Lima said. “It was interesting to see what all my classmates found as well. I learned that there are so many different species and insects that we never knew about. I learned how important our gardens are to so many different forms of life.”
Smith hopes participation in the pollinator census gives her students a sense of pride and importance.
“This event has a huge impact on our future through research and aid for the pollinators and agriculture industry,” she said. “I hope they learn how important pollinators are, not only to the agriculture industry but to our small community as well. Helping the pollinators, such as bees, starts at home.”