The Great Sunflower Project

Happy Labor Day!

If you haven't gotten a late August sample, it would be a good time to do it!

I want to start with some thank yous. I've had several people write or call and tell me how much they are enjoying participating or how important they think the project is to bees. As I've said before, most science is done as a solo exercise. I find participating in this project the most exciting thing that I've done as a scientist and this in large part is because of your enthusiasm for the project. Thank you for the constant reminder of how lucky I am to be able to do this work.

Greetings!

If you didn't get a sample done last weekend, , this would be a good time to get it done! You also might consider dead-heading your sunflower (removing all the dead flowers) to extend flowering. If you do this, we would LOVE to have you mail us one of your flowers. We'll count the number of seeds in that flower head which will allow us to relate your data on the number of visits to what it actually means for plants. Do put your user name and address in the envelope so that we can tie the two things together! I'll put the address below.

Dear Bee Hunters,

This is the 3rd weekend of the month so, it would be a good time to collect data. If you can't do it this weekend try to get a sunny day in before the end of the month. Personally, I'm finding it hard to find a fog-free day here in San Francisco!

Happy 4th of July!

• Thank you I'd like to start by saying thank you for participating in the Great Sunflower Project. What a wonderful group you are. As a bee biologist, it has been so gratifying to see how many people are willing to help us take the steps to preserving our pollinators. I especially wish to thank those who have donated to the project. We are so, so, so grateful for your contributions.

Dear Great Sunflower Gardeners,

We now have over 32,000 participants across the United States and Canada! What an amazing response. Thank you.

Collecting data! We have had our first data entered into the website so, the Great Sunflower Project is officially opened for buzz-ness.

Hi Everyone!

It's been an exciting spring. The Great Sunflower Project (www.greatsunflower.org) has almost 30,000 participants and people are planting in every state in the United States and every province in Canada. Wow!

We've had a few issues getting seeds out and appreciate your patience. We originally planned to have four of us stuffing all the envelopes! When we had 12,000 people sign up in one week, we realized we needed another plan. At the same time, we tested the seeds that American meadows had sent us. Instead of the guaranteed 80% germination rate, we planted 102 seeds and got SIX plants. I have to say that this was about my worst nightmare.

Fortunately, American meadows has replaced the seed and sent us a new shipment of packets. So, if you haven't received your packet of seeds yet, they are being mailed tomorrow from San Francisco. I haven't had the opportunity to test these seeds but American meadows says 80% germination - again.... I've got my fingers crossed.