Seven weeks to increase your insect knowledge and upgrade your Great Southeast Pollinator Census counting skills. Learn with the experts!
- This course will be presented as a Zoom webinar each Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. EDT until 4:30 p.m. EDT, starting June 16th and going through July 28th, 2026. For those who cannot make the scheduled time, recordings of each session will be posted by Friday of that week.
- The cost of the course is $50 and the commitment that you will lead, assist, or participate in a Great Southeast Pollinator Census event this year, August 21st or 22nd, 2026, if you live in one of the Census states (Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama or Florida). If you live outside of the Southeast, please join us for just the course fee. If the cost is a burden for you, please email Becky Griffin at beckygri@uga.edu.
- Upon course completion, you will have earned a course certificate. The course is equivalent to 1+ PLU for educators.
- To register click here: https://pollinatorcourse2026.eventbrite.com/
June 16th
Welcome
Carpenter Bees
drilling, pollinating and misunderstood
Dr. Bethany Harris
University of Georgia's Urban Ag Center Director. Bethany collaborates with industry professionals, homeowners, and county agents across areas including sustainable food production, pollinator conservation, landscape horticulture, urban forestry, urban entomology, and urban water management.
Whitney Ottinger
Sustainable Agriculture Educator. Whitney develops and coordinates agricultural education through training activities, extension programs, and other sustainable agriculture resources and tools statewide.
June 23rd
Bumble Bees
models of pollinating proficiency
Avery Young
Conservation Biologist, Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas Coordinator.
Avery works to increase our understanding of bumble bee trends, ranges, and needs by leading the SE BBA in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She coordinates with the public, land managers, and other biologists to gather data for this community science project.
Becky Griffin
National Coordinator of the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, University of Georgia Pollinator Health Associate and bumble bee lover! Becky helps document bumble bee species in the Southeast.
June 30th
Butterflies
scaled wings, serious science
Dr. Sonia Altizer
University of Georgia Entomology Department Head. Dr. Altzier's lab is known for their research in butterfly behavior.
Jeremy Rhoden
Urban & Residential Horticulture Agent, and Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator for UF/IFAS Extension Marion County. Jeremy is the Great Southeast Pollinator Census Coordinator for the state of Florida.
July 7th
Small Bees
tiny bodies, outsized ecosystem impact
Dr. Kris Braman
Professor Emeritus Entomology at University of Georgia. Included in Dr. Braman's broad scope of work are studies on bee habitat and biology.
Amanda Bratcher
Horticulture agent at NC Cooperative Extension- Lee County Center and the state coordinator for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census in North Carolina. Amanda is passionate about plants AND pollinators!
July 14th
Honey bees
sweetest of all the bees
Dr. Jamie Ellis
Professor of Entomology in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia. Jamie and his team have over 30 active research projects in the fields of honey bee husbandry, conservation, and ecology.
Bethany O'Rear
Alabama Extension professional and Coordinator of Alabama's participation in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
July 21st
Flies & Wasps
unsung heros of the garden
Dr. Scott Clem
Assistant professor of insect ecology at Illinois State University (former postdoc at UGA, Dept of Entomology). Dr. Clem's lab focuses on the ecology, behavior, and biodiversity of beneficial insects, with a particular emphasis on hover flies (Syrphidae) and other beneficial species. Basically, He is a fly-fanatic and he hope to inspire us all to love flies!
Dr. Jason Schmidt
Associate Professor at University of Georgia's Tifton Campus. The Schmidt Lab focuses on arthropod ecology and trophic interactions.
Gabrielle LaTora
Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for UGA Extension in Fulton County. An entomologist by training, Gabrielle is interested in insects on farms and in gardens and is passionate about closing the gap between people and their food.
July 28th
The other insects
beetles
Course wrap up
Dr. Joe McHugh
Herbert H. and Jean A. Ross Memorial Distinguished Professor of Insect Systematics and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia. Dr. McHugh is also the curator of the Georgia Museum of Natural History.
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status, and is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
