Dear Great Sunflower Project Friends,
As the year winds to a close, I am filled with gratitude for all that we have grown together. What began in 2008 as a small citizen science effort to understand pollinators in our yards has blossomed into something truly remarkable, thanks to you.
This year, we welcomed over 2,000 new members into our community of gardeners, naturalists, teachers, and pollinator champions. Your observations are helping us build the largest body of pollinator service data in North America, revealing where pollinators thrive and where they need help.
We have also expanded our reach through new partnerships. Together with SciStarter, we placed Great Sunflower Project materials into public libraries, bringing pollinator science directly to families, students, and curious minds in their own communities. Librarians and volunteers alike have shared how excited they are to offer these resources.
We are especially grateful for our partnership with public libraries. These trusted institutions are centers of learning and inspiration, and thanks to their support, many new observers now know how to watch, record, and celebrate pollinators in their own gardens and parks.
What’s next?
We are preparing to refresh our website to make it easier for you to:
Explore pollinator data
Submit your counts
Download helpful guides
Connect with fellow citizen scientists
You can always find us here: https://www.greatsunflower.org
To make this possible, we need your help.
Will you consider making a gift of $50, $100, $250, or more before
December 31, 2025?
Your generous support will help us:
Complete our website refresh
Expand educational partnerships with libraries and communities
Provide new tools and resources for your observations</li>
Every gift, large or small, helps the Great Sunflower Project continue to thrive—just like the pollinators we watch together.
Donate here: https://www.greatsunflower.org/donate
Please be sure to write “The Great Sunflower Project” in the “Additional gift instructions” box.
Thank you for planting seeds, both in your garden and in the future of pollinator conservation. We truly could not do this without you.
With warm wishes for 2026,
Gretchen LeBuhn
The Queen Bee
The Great Sunflower Project
Together, we make every count count.