Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz Expands Across 35 U.S. States

Ashburn, VA, Oct. 28, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation have continued their partnership to support pollinator health and awareness through the eighth annual Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz. This event, which celebrated its eighth year in 2026, saw an impressive participation from across the United States.

More than 100 organizations, including zoos, museums, and local, county, and state parks departments, participated in the 2025 BioBlitz. The event spanned from coast to coast, with 35 states taking part, from Oregon to Florida. Over 5,000 dedicated participants contributed to the project, resulting in almost 20,000 more observations than the previous year. This significant increase highlights the growing commitment to pollinator conservation and community engagement.

The Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, which began in 2018, has been instrumental in supporting local park and recreation agencies in stewarding land for pollinators. Participants are encouraged to capture photographs of plants, insects, and animals present in parks and submit them using the iNaturalist platform. This helps park agencies better understand, manage, and plan for the diverse species and habitats in their local parks.

Previous years' BioBlitzes have yielded numerous success stories. For instance, in Pflugerville, Texas, the implementation of pollinator "tea" gardens has not only benefited the environment but also provided a delightful experience for the community. In Edmond, Oklahoma, the BioBlitz helped further connections between maintenance and recreation teams, leading to additional funding for a monarch host garden. In Los Alamos County Parks, Nevada, the development, planting, and signage of a demonstration pollinator garden led to a rare pollinator sighting. In Sunrise, Florida, the BioBlitz showed the immense benefit of planting coontie, a native plant that supports beautiful Atala butterflies. This sighting sparked a resurgence of this planting in the neighborhood.

Pollinators and other beneficial insects are vital to healthy and resilient parks, greenspaces, and communities. They support biodiversity, which is crucial for thriving ecosystems. These species help stabilize the environment during challenges like extreme weather, habitat loss, and other environmental impacts. Communities nationwide are increasingly participating in community science, restoration, and other conservation volunteer projects, supporting a growing movement that reflects a broader commitment to protecting pollinators and vibrant communities and greenspaces.

Ayanna Williams, NRPA's director of community and environmental resilience, expressed gratitude to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation for their continued partnership and support of the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz.

Brian Herrington, president of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, emphasized the importance of pollinators in parks nationwide.

NRPA, with its mission to build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation, has more than 68,000 members. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that funds non-profit entities, supports NRPA's efforts to educate more children, families, and communities about the importance of pollinators and what they can do to help.