Australia's vibrant ecosystem relies on its unsung heroes, the pollinators. The Australian Pollinator Count is taking place from 11-19 November. Taking part is quick and easy via the Pollinator Week website. You simply need to observe some flowers for 10 minutes, record the pollinators you see and register your results.

Australian Pollinator Week acknowledges our important and unique insect pollinators during our southern spring (November). It is a designated week when communities, businesses and organisations can come together to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators and support their needs.

Through group activities, community members can learn and laugh together as they help to support our pollinators. By engaging communities in schools, retirement villages, art groups, gardening clubs, community gardens, local council areas, Landcare groups and neighbourhoods we can increase awareness and act on our increased knowledge.

Organisers have designed a simple and fun pathway to guide you through the ‘ABC’ of insect ID. If you are a beginner or a novice, you can start by reviewing the downloadable Learner Guide, or watching the Learner Guide video. These Guides will help you develop all the identification skills you need to become a citizen scientist and join the Australian Pollinator Count.

Once you have reviewed your preferred Learner Guide, complete the quick quiz. If you achieve less than 80% in the quiz, you can go back and review the Learner Guide once more. Once you achieve 80% or more, you will receive the Australian Pollinator Count Upload link.

Australian Pollinator Week was founded by Dr Megan Halcroft, of Bees Business (beesbusiness.com.au), in November 2015. It followed on from a community project called “Bee Aware of Your Native Bees”, which was funded by Western Sydney University and the Environmental Trust.

Communities in the northern hemisphere have been celebrating the importance of pollinators since June 2007, however, the seasonal differences in the southern hemisphere has restricted bilateral celebrations.

Join the Australian Pollinator Count and be a part of this vital conservation effort!

https://www.australianpollinatorweek.org.au/count/