In an effort to track bees, the department of biology at San Francisco State University is recruiting backyard scientists to plant sunflowers and keep track of the bees they see.

From their website http://www.GreatSunflower.org:

By watching and recording the bees at sunflowers in your garden, you can help us understand the challenges that bees are facing. The first batches of seeds are mailing the week of 23 March 2009. We’ll be sending our next round of annual Lemon Queen sunflower seeds at the end of April 2009. Just in time to plant!

They will send you the seeds, you do the rest:

“What you need: Sunflowers, a place to sit comfortably, a data sheet (they provide), a pen or pencil, and a watch. You might also bring a camera. After watching, you’ll need a way to check the temperature.

5. Stop once you have seen five bees or 30 minutes have passed”

Go to their website, sign up and have a good time counting bees! Please direct any questions about the program to their website

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