iNaturalist will help you identify the over 1,000 native bees in Texas.
July 14, 2026 - East Texas gardeners, naturalists, and students have a new reason to grab their phone and cameras and head outdoors this summer. The Tri County Pollinator Series, a collaborative effort between Assistant Professor and Honeybee Entomologist Dr. Garett Slater and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Cherokee, Smith, and Rusk counties, is bringing together enthusiasts to celebrate the insects and plants that keep our landscapes alive and ecologically functional.
On July 17, 2026 from 10 a.m. to noon, the spotlight turns to the Smith County Extension Office classroom, where participants will learn to use iNaturalist, a free app that helps identify and record native plants and pollinators. I will lead the workshop and demonstrate how everyday observations can contribute to real conservation data.
Citizen science may sound lofty, but it is as simple as noticing what is buzzing, crawling, or flapping around your garden. With iNaturalist, anyone can photograph a butterfly, bee, or bloom, upload the image, and instantly connect with a global network of naturalists. Each observation adds to a growing database that helps researchers track species distribution and seasonal changes. It is a way for ordinary Texans to make extraordinary contributions to understanding our environment.
This July session is the second in a three-part series designed to highlight pollinators’ vital role in Texas ecosystems. The series began April 17 at Caddo Mounds State Historic Site, where participants explored native plants and their insect partners. It will conclude August 14 at the Rusk County Extension Office with a honey tasting program that reveals how floral diversity shapes flavor, showing how what blooms in the field finds its way into the jar.
The Tri County Pollinator Series is more than a set of workshops; it is a celebration of connection. Students, home gardeners, Master Naturalists, and Master Gardeners alike will find common ground in the shared joy of discovery. Whether you are a seasoned observer or a newcomer to nature study, the iNaturalist training offers a hands-on introduction to documenting the world around you. Bring your smartphone or camera, curiosity, and a willingness to look closely. If you are able, download the iNaturalist app before you come and be prepared to help your classmates do likewise.
Space is limited for the Smith County event, so advance registration is encouraged. To reserve your spot, call the Smith County Extension Office at 903‑590‑2980.
Together, these programs invite East Texans to observe, appreciate, and protect the pollinators that sustain our gardens and wild spaces. Every bee, butterfly, and bug has a story to tell if we take the time to notice. So mark your calendar, charge your phone and camera, and join the movement to make East Texas a little more pollinator friendly. You will leave with new skills, new friends, and a deeper appreciation for the small creatures that make big things grow.
