When’s the last time you really looked at the butterflies, bees, or hummingbirds visiting your garden? This October, Texas Parks and Wildlife wants you to become a citizen scientist—and the best part? You’re probably already qualified.
The Texas Pollinator BioBlitz runs October 10-26, 2025, and it’s basically a statewide scavenger hunt for pollinators. No fancy equipment needed. No biology degree required. Just you, your phone, and a willingness to pay attention to the incredible wildlife already buzzing around your neighborhood.
Why Pollinators Need Your Help Right Now
Here’s the reality: Monarch butterfly populations have crashed by nearly 80% over the past 20 years across the Eastern United States, Canada, and Mexico. That’s not just sad—it’s a warning sign.
Besides monarchs, 30 native pollinator species in Texas (bees, butterflies, and moths) are designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. These aren’t just pretty insects—they’re the reason we have food on our tables. Pollinators sustain native plant species, human food crops, and even crops for livestock.
Think about it: Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food you eat. When they disappear, our entire food system feels the impact.
The good news? You can actually help reverse this trend, starting right in your own backyard.
What Is a BioBlitz Anyway?
A BioBlitz is exactly what it sounds like—a blitz of biological observations. During the two-week event, Texans across the state will observe and identify pollinators, take photos, and share what they find.
All ages and abilities are encouraged to participate. Whether you’re 5 or 95, whether you can tell a monarch from a swallowtail or you just know “that’s a butterfly,” you can contribute valuable data to help scientists understand pollinator populations.
Here’s what you’re looking for:
- Butterflies (monarchs, swallowtails, painted ladies, skippers)
- Bees (honeybees, bumblebees, native bees)
- Moths
- Hummingbirds
- Bats
- Wasps, flies, and beetles that visit flowers
You’ll also want to photograph the nectar-producing plants these pollinators visit—because understanding the relationship between pollinators and plants helps scientists protect both.
How to Participate (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Step 1: Register Head to tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz/registration and sign up. You’ll get regular emails with pollinator observation challenges and helpful tips throughout the event.
Step 2: Go Outside Walk around your yard, visit a local park, check out a state park, or just sit on your porch with your morning coffee. Look for pollinators visiting flowers.
Step 3: Take Photos or Videos When you spot a pollinator, snap a photo or short video. Don’t stress about getting the perfect shot—even blurry photos can help with identification.
Step 4: Share Your Observations You have three ways to share what you find:
- Instagram or Facebook: Post your photos using #TXPollinators
- iNaturalist (the citizen science option): Upload your photo to the 2025 Texas Pollinator BioBlitz project. The app records the date and location automatically, and other naturalists will help identify what you found. This data contributes directly to scientific research.
- Facebook Event Page: Share on the Texas Parks and Wildlife BioBlitz event page
Don’t worry if you can’t identify what you photographed. Just describe what you saw—”orange and black butterfly on purple flowers” or “fuzzy yellow bee on sunflower.” The community will help with identification.
What If You’re Not Sure What You’re Looking At?
That’s totally fine! Pollinators can be tricky to identify, especially bees and moths. The beauty of the BioBlitz is that it’s a community effort.
When you post on iNaturalist, experienced naturalists and scientists review your observations and help with identifications. You might post “unknown bee” and discover it’s actually a rare native pollinator species. That’s the exciting part—you’re learning while contributing real scientific data.
Even simple observations matter. “I saw three butterflies on this plant” tells scientists something important about pollinator activity in your area.
How You Can Help Beyond the BioBlitz
The two-week event is just the beginning. Here’s how you can support pollinators year-round:
Plant Native, Nectar-Producing Plants Native plants support native pollinators. Plant a variety that bloom from spring through fall. Good choices include:
- Milkweed (essential for monarchs)
- Black-eyed Susans
- Coneflowers
- Salvia
- Lantana
- Native sunflowers
Stop Using Pesticides Insecticides and herbicides kill pollinators and the plants they depend on. If you must use pest control, try integrated pest management or organic approaches instead.
Leave Your Lawn a Little Wild That dandelion you’re about to pull? It’s an early-season food source for hungry bees. Those leaves on the ground? They provide winter shelter for butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Create Pollinator Gardens Dedicate even a small corner of your yard to pollinator-friendly plants. Schools, community gardens, and businesses can do this too. Every patch of habitat helps.
Why This Matters for Texas
Texas sits at a critical crossroads for pollinator conservation. We’re along the migration route for monarch butterflies traveling between Canada and Mexico. What happens in Texas literally determines whether these butterflies survive their epic journey.
When you plant milkweed, you’re providing fuel for monarchs making a 2,000-mile trip. When you document pollinator activity, you’re helping scientists identify which areas need protection and which conservation efforts are working.
Your backyard observations might seem small, but when thousands of Texans participate, the data becomes incredibly powerful. Scientists can track population trends, identify habitat needs, and develop conservation strategies that actually work.
Make This Your Family’s October Adventure
Turn the BioBlitz into a family activity. Give kids a mission: find five different pollinators this week. Keep a nature journal. Create a pollinator scavenger hunt.
It’s a chance to slow down, pay attention, and connect with the natural world that’s happening all around us—even in the middle of cities.
And here’s the thing: Once you start really looking at pollinators, you can’t stop. You’ll find yourself scanning flowers everywhere you go. You’ll get excited about spotting a new bee species. You’ll become that person who takes photos of butterflies at the grocery store parking lot.
Welcome to the club.
Get Started This Weekend
The BioBlitz runs through October 26, which means you’ve got time—but why wait? This weekend, grab your phone, step outside, and see what’s buzzing around your neighborhood.
Register at tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz, download the free iNaturalist app, and start observing. You’ll be surprised by how much wildlife you’ve been walking past without noticing.
Every butterfly you photograph, every bee you document, every observation you share helps scientists understand and protect the pollinators that keep our ecosystems—and our food supply—alive.
So what are you waiting for? Texas pollinators need you. And trust us, once you start, you’ll be hooked.
How to Participate:
- Register: tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz/registration
- Download iNaturalist: Available free on iOS and Android
- Join the project: Search for “2025 Texas Pollinator BioBlitz” in the app
- Use hashtag: #TXPollinators on Instagram and Facebook
- Dates: October 10-26, 2025
Resources:
- Pollinator identification guides: tpwd.texas.gov/education/bioblitz/guides
- Past year’s data: Check out the 2024 Texas Pollinator BioBlitz project on iNaturalist
We do our best to get every detail right, but sometimes things slip through. Event times change, prices update, details shift faster than we can keep up. Quick reminder: Always double-check the important stuff before you head out! Thanks for helping us get it right – when you keep us honest, everybody wins!
