Firefly Stewardship

Firefly Stewardship

Atlanta Firefly Project is a community science initiative focused on monitoring urban firefly populations and tracking the impacts of urbanization and land management practices on firefly distribution and abundance. The Atlanta Firefly Project recruits community science volunteers from all over Georgia to participate in the project and monitor firefly species in their yards or parks. All this information helps us learn a little bit more about how urban vegetation, artificial lighting, and land management care affect firefly species. Using data from the project Atlanta Firefly Project has recommendations to best support our local firefly species!

Learn more at Atlanta Firefly Project

Earning City Forest Certification through Firefly Stewardship is in partnership with Atlanta Firefly Project. By following this track you are acting on your support of Trees, Fireflies, Trees Atlanta, and the Atlanta Firefly Project.

The Firefly Stewardship badge is earned by meeting all (16) of the goals below. Your Firefly Stewardship accomplishment is recognized by the addition of a Firefly Stewardship badge on your City Forest Certification sign.

More about fireflies and The Atlanta Firefly Project

Many of you are likely familiar with the gorgeous firefly displays that are a trademark of summers in the Eastern US. The most common species in our region is the Big Dipper Firefly, known for its yellow, J-shaped flash, but did you know there are roughly 50 species in Georgia and over 2000 species worldwide!

Fireflies are a vital part of a natural ecosystem. These insects spend most of their lives as larvae. Larvae emerge from their eggs in late summer and live through the winter before pupating in the spring. In some colder locations, the larval stage lasts well over a year, with the larvae living through two winters before pupating. As larvae, fireflies feast on common garden pests like slugs, worms, and snails. They live in the fallen leaves and loose soil before undergoing metamorphosis and emerging as the flashing adults we know and love.

There is so much we still don’t know about the role that fireflies play in ecosystems. Many firefly species don’t eat at all as adults, but some female fireflies have been observed sipping nectar from milkweed flowers. Could they also be playing a key role in pollinating our native plants?

Not only are fireflies important for their ecological role in nature, but they also provide important cultural services to our communities. Their eye-catching displays have captured the hearts of children and adults alike and are a trademark of summer months in the south. Many forests, fields, woodlands, and backyards feel incomplete without them. People have grown up catching and watching these critters and go on to share these memories with their children, hoping to spread the magic. Georgia and its environment would be incomplete without fireflies.

Unfortunately, firefly populations decline due to habitat loss, artificial lights at night, increased use of insecticides, climate change, and many other factors that negatively affect firefly populations across the Southeastern US. One way to help stop the decline is by working towards earning your City Forest Certification through the Firefly Stewardship track. You can also help us gather important information on these insects by collecting data for the Atlanta Firefly Project!

More information from the Xerces Society: https://www.xerces.org/endangered-species/fireflies

Free Fireflies of Georgia Poster: Firefly poster