Squash Pollinator Search informational webinar Jan 8, 2026

[Sarah Kania]

Hi everyone!

Hope you are all staying nice and warm.

As you probably saw in the survey Nash sent out, one of the questions was asking about potentially participating in another community science project called The Squash Pollinator Search. This is a project I've been coordinating in the lab since 2023 and we are recruiting volunteers for the 2026 season. Below is a bit of information:

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The López-Uribe Lab at Penn State University is looking to recruit Master Gardener volunteers for the 2026 season of The Squash Pollinator Search. The Squash Pollinator Search is a community science project that partners with volunteers to plant and grow wild and domesticated squash (genus: Cucurbita) and collect bee visitors to study attractiveness of squash to bee pollinators. 

Participants will receive seeds of three species of Cucurbita to grow during the 2026 season. During the flowering period of the plants, participants will collect bee visitors for 10 minutes once per week. Collected bees will then be returned to the López-Uribe Lab at Penn State University for processing and identification. All data collected for the project will be made publicly available. Participants receive all materials needed for the project as well as virtual training. 

If you are interested in participating, please attend our information webinar on Thursday, January 8th at 6 PM (EST). Any questions can be directed to Sarah Kania at sek...@psu.edu. 

Squash Pollinator Search - Penn State University Webinar
Thursday, January 8, 2026

3 - 4:30 pm PT / 4 – 5:30 pm MT / 5 - 6:30 pm CT / 6 - 7:30 pm ET

Register here.

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Even if you are not necessarily interested in participating (or are on the fence) please consider attending to learn more! I'll be presenting the results from the last three years. 

Also, if you know of any Master Gardeners looking for a project to participate in and would be interested, please forward them the information! More information can also be found at the lab's website.

Thanks and let me know if you have any questions. 

Sarah