During the month of September, the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks) participated in the national Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz campaign, which is aimed at raising public awareness about the importance of pollinators and the role parks play in advancing pollinator health and native habitat.

The BioBlitz focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time to create a snapshot of an area's biodiversity. PBC Parks encouraged individuals to explore the nature and wildlife in Palm Beach County and find as many species as possible by joining the Parks for Pollinators 2022: Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation project via the iNaturalist app or website.

For Palm Beach County, the PBC Parks BioBlitz project recorded over 1,300 observations, more than 600 species, and more than 150 identifiers and observers. Okeeheelee, Green Cay and Daggerwing nature centers and Riverbend Park also hosted programs focused on sharing the importance of pollinators with guided walks in their butterfly gardens and on nature trails. Children were also encouraged to participate by completing the Nature Adventure Journal activities and earn sticker badges at the end of the sections. 

“Our department provides critical green infrastructure positively supporting pollinators, which are vital for our food chain and ecosystem. It is recognized that for every 1 in 3 bites of food we eat, we have a pollinator to thank," said PBC Parks and Recreation Director, Jennifer Cirillo. “It's important that we support pollinators through our native habitat cultivation practices and encourage our community to do the same at home by supporting our local native plant nurseries and planting pollinator friendly plants."

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz is organized by the National Recreation and Park Association during the month of September. Learn more about Parks for Pollinators at www.nrpa.org/parks4pollinators.

To view the project page on iNaturalist, visit https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/parks-for-pollinators-2022-palm-beach-county-parks-and-recreation.

For more information about PBC Parks events and activities, go to www.pbcparks.com.