Pete, I feel that you are misunderstanding me. I was replying to this comment that you made: > It gives you a sense that you are "doing something for the bees" when you aren't. I thought that you were referring to "the bees" as a species, and that you were saying that Citizen Scientists thought that they were doing something to save the species. I concur with Walter that becoming a beekeeper with the motivation of "saving the bees" will likely do the species more harm than good. My point was that Apis mellifera as a species is not at risk of going extinct. The sort of research for which beekeepers are being asked to assist in generally falls into one of two categories: 1. That of data collection or trials for groups such as Bee Informed, or by a university, or 2. Field testing for a private party wishing to develop a product for sale to beekeepers, to be marketed (rightfully or wrongly) as being of benefit to the beekeeper for increasing the health or survivorship of their colonies. As one who has performed quite a bit of both sorts of research, I concur with Pete that one should carefully vet the motivations of, and proposed protocol of the entity asking for your assistance. I personally reject most proposals that I receive as being either ill conceived, poorly developed, or without adequate preliminary supportive data. I have not seen Pat's proposals, so cannot comment on them. But in general, I am a strong supporter of citizen science, provided that it is performed with good guidance. I've posted some tips at my website at http://scientificbeekeeping.com/tips-for-citizen-scientists/ -- Randy Oliver Grass Valley, CA www.ScientificBeekeeping.com *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html