Columbus is on a mission to support pollinators, and you can be part of it.
The city’s Pollinator Documentation Program is looking for volunteers (aka Planeteers) to help monitor pollinators and plant health in green spaces across Columbus.
That means learning how to identify native and invasive species, using the iNaturalist app to track observations, and walking a set route through prairie habitats like the one tucked inside Whetstone Park.
The city’s data collection efforts are already helping shape how habitats are maintained. Volunteers play a key role in documenting species across 37 sites, and the training sessions are open to anyone curious about nature and conservation.
Before attending a training session, volunteers should:
The next Planeteer training takes place Tuesday, August 12 from 6–7 p.m. at 3923 N. High St. You can sign up for the training here.
If you’re more of a hands-in-the-dirt type, Pollinator Field Day is coming up.
Taking place on Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at the same location, this event focuses on removing invasive species and giving the Whetstone Park prairie some much-needed care.
All supplies are provided, so just wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. And as a bonus, volunteers are encouraged to stick around after for Columbus ArborFest, which kicks off right after with food trucks, vendors, giveaways, and tree-themed fun.
Whether you want to gather data or dig into the soil, these events are a great way to support local biodiversity. It’s a small time commitment that could make a big difference for pollinators, our city, and the planet.
