<br><font size=2 face="Tahoma">----- Forwarded Message ----<b><br>
From:</b> Alison Parker <spring.beauty.pollinators@gmail.com><b><br>
To:</b> vnps-pot@yahoogroups.com<b><br>
Sent:</b> Thu, March 3, 2011 10:58:44 AM<b><br>
Subject:</b> [vnps-pot] Volunteer pollinator monitoring</font><font size=3 face="Roman"><br>
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<br><font size=2>Hello,</font>
<p>
<p><font size=2>Apologies for cross-listing!</font>
<p>
<p><font size=2>This spring, I am enlisting the help of interested volunteers
to observe local pollinators of spring beauty (<i>Claytonia virginica</i>
and <i>Claytonia caroliniana</i>). I thought you all might be interested
in observing and learning about the pollinators of these native plants!</font>
<p><font size=2><br>
This project aims to document changing pollinator populations - by monitoring
the insects that visit spring beauty throughout the eastern US, we can
determine how pollinator communities change depending on the year, the
location, and the season. This information will help us better understand
the biology of native pollinators, as well as help us determine the best
way to evaluate their value for native plant reproduction. At the same
time, you will learn more about the native bees and flies visiting our
early spring flora, and spend some time outdoors during the lovely spring
weather. </font>
<p><font size=2> </font>
<p><font size=2>To help, you need to be able to get to a patch of our study
plants, <i>Claytonia virginica </i>and <i>Claytonia caroliniana</i>, which
are easily found throughout the Eastern US and southeastern Ontario. We’ll
help you learn to distinguish the plants and pollinators, and assist you
with questions along the way. We ask for about 2 hours of observations
over the course of three weeks, all during sunny weather. As you observe,
you’ll fill out data sheets (which we will provide), which you will then
mail or email to us along with any comments or concerns.</font>
<p><font size=2> </font>
<p><font size=2>For more information, visit </font><a href=http://springbeauties.wordpress.com/><font size=2 color=blue><u>http://springbeauties.wordpress.com</u></font></a><font size=2>.
To volunteer, please email <b> </b></font><a href=mailto:spring.beauty.pollinators@gmail.com target=_blank><font size=2 color=blue><b><u>spring.beauty.pollinators@gmail.com</u></b></font></a><font size=2><b>
</b>with your name and location. We'll get in touch with you soon with
more information!</font>
<p><font size=2> </font>
<p><font size=2>Thank you very much,</font>
<p><font size=2>Alison Parker</font>
<p><font size=2 face="Roman"><br>
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-- <br>
Alison Parker<br>
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology<br>
University of Toronto<br>
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