Citizen science for pollinator conservation
Watch a flower. Count pollinators. Help science protect them.
The Great Sunflower Project makes it simple for gardeners, families, schools, and nature lovers to turn everyday observations into useful data for pollinator conservation.
Choose a plant, watch it carefully, record the pollinators that visit, and help build a clearer picture of where bees and other pollinators are thriving—or where they need help.
is enough to make a useful observation
members have joined the project
people have contributed pollinator records
Small observations become powerful conservation data.
Pollinator health varies from place to place. Your yard, school garden, park, farm, or favorite trail can tell part of that story. Repeated counts from familiar places are especially valuable because they show how pollinator activity changes over time.
You do not need special equipment or advanced training. You need a plant in bloom, a little time, and a willingness to look closely.
See the project in action
Watch these PBS Nature videos to learn how simple observations from many people can support science and conservation.
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Choose your way to help
Start with the activity that fits your garden, classroom, community space, or favorite outdoor route.
Safe Gardens for Pollinators
Plant Lemon Queen sunflowers and help us understand how garden practices affect pollinator visits.
Pollinator Friendly Plants
Watch a plant you can identify and report which pollinators visit. Your counts help identify plants that support pollinators.
Great Pollinator Habitat Challenge
Evaluate your space, make a practical improvement plan, and create better habitat for pollinators.
How to begin
Your yard, a school garden, a local park, a farm, or a wild area all count.
Choose flowers in bloom and count the pollinators that visit during your observation.
Add your observation so it becomes part of a larger scientific record.
Support the science behind the counts
Participant observations provide the data. Donations help keep the tools, maps, guides, outreach, and long-running conservation work available to gardeners, families, teachers, libraries, and community groups.
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[1]: https://www.greatsunflower.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Homepage | The Great Sunflower Project"