I just heard about The Great Sunflower Project, and after having checked it out and signed up myself, I am dutifully encouraging others to get involved.
This project, led by Gretchen Lebuhn at San Francisco State University, is recruiting people all across the U.S. to grow sunflowers (they attract lots of bees) and make regular observations of how many bees visit the flowers. This will help scientists learn more about bees in urban environments. This is a great project for schools and organizations that have summer programs and possible growing space available in the summer too, check it out!
(Added link about honeybees and the worldwide colony collapses affecting honeybee populations) I just came across this additional article on CommonDreams.org, Last Flight of the Honeybee? , a highly recommended read for anyone concerned with food production and the health of pollinators such as bees.
Speaking of fun projects for kids during those long summer days (how many of you parents are already dreading the famous “I’m bored! There’s nothing to do around here” ?), try exploring the National Gardening Association’s KidsGardening! site. It’s full of lots of ideas for getting kids outside and involved in fun, hands-on gardening activities. The site is well organized, and they have a Family Resource Room area which right now features a Parent’s Primer full of great ideas.
Last but not least, if you’re interested in planting and growing stuff, but are finding your budget strained or would just like to get involved with growing more things, below are a bunch of places to get free seeds and other information.
Operation Green Plant-Free Seeds!
Free Heirloom Seeds (this offer just for School and Community Gardens) From Tomato Bob
Free Conifer Seeds from Treedazzled
Seedswaps for gardeners-an online seed trading site
*Please keep in mind that many of these people/organizations get overwhelming responses to their “Free” offers, have limited staffing, and may run out of seeds. At the time of my initial posting, the offers were still good-I will continue to check them periodically, but I assume no responsibility for offers that have expired/run out of free seeds. Thank you!
Coming soon: Whose, Who’s and How to’s: Building Sustainability in Communities
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