The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc.

08/22/2026

Open August 22 and 23rd from 9 AM to 4 PM for just five dollar admission

08/20/2026

08/20/2026

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

HAPPENING TOMORROW and SATURDAY– In as little as 15 minutes, you can contribute valuable pollinator data from your own yard or at a community event near you!

Join SC Master Gardeners and Clemson Cooperative Extension, for the Great Southeast Pollinator Census on August 21–22 to learn about the insects in your area and contribute data to help expand scientific knowledge and protect pollinators! Pick a favorite pollinator plant — anything in your garden showing insect activity — and count the insects that land on its flowers for 15 minutes. You don't need to be an entomologist; counts are sorted into a few simple categories, and an Insect Counting and Identification Guide plus instructional videos are available on the website

Find all the information and resources you need here: https://gsepc.org

08/20/2026

UPDATE! Census extended through Monday!

Join us and Clemson University for the Southeastern Pollinator Census, a citizen science initiative created by the University of Georgia Extension! 🐝🌸

WHAT: Southeastern Pollinator Census

WHEN: Official census runs August 21–22, 2026 (Join our nursery group count: Friday, August 21st at 10:00 AM)

WHERE: At the nursery (1108 Wappoo Rd.) — or right in your own backyard!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Pick One Plant: Choose just one blooming plant to observe. Count for 15 Minutes: Watch your flower closely and tally every insect that lands on it during that window.

Use a Printable Tally Sheet: Download and print the official Counting Sheet (or Insect Identification Guide) ahead of time from GSePC.org to keep track!

Submit Your Results: Upload your counts at GSePC.org.

Whether you count on our native blooms at the nursery with us this Friday at 10 AM or join from your own backyard anytime August 21–22, your 15 minutes helps researchers track and protect local pollinator populations! 🏡✨

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

🌹🍅🍄🐞🍎🍓

Discover where to find beautiful red garnets in South Carolina. Local hotspots, beginner-friendly locations, and tips for successful gem hunting adventures.

08/19/2026

🐝Come out and help count pollinators with us this weekend at The Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Counting is easy and everyone's invited!

Friday, Aug. 21, 6 - 7 pm
📍Saluda Riverwalk, 650 Candi Lane, Columbia
Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 am - Noon
📍Rosewood Park, 901 S Holly, Columbia

We'll provide a counting sheet (or download from gsepc.org) to mark insects in 8 categories: carpenter bee, bumblebee, honey bee, small bee, butterfly/moth, wasp, fly, other insects. Check out the insect guide on the site to get you started, or we can help show you what to look for.
👉Tip: count every time an insect visits a flower, even if it is the same insect many times.

This project from the University of Georgia is an easy way for almost anyone to be part of conserving and protecting pollinators. First, it gets us all thinking about native plant gardens. (Hmmm, maybe I need more blooming plants?) Second, people spend time getting acquainted with insect pollinators they might not have met before. Third, this data becomes available to researchers in the region.

Count as many times as you like over the weekend, wherever in the region there are blooming plants and pollinators, then submit your data through gsepc.org.

South Carolina Native Plant Society Gardener's Outpost South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Columbia Parks & Recreation Department Southeast Pollinator Census Community