Phenology Trail Project at the College of Menominee Nation By: Cathy Munson, Sustainable Development Institute Intern Intern Mentors: Dean Fellman, Marie Schaefer, Lucy Fenzl

OVERVIEW What is phenology and what are phenophases? What is a phenology trail and how will it enhance existing CMN Learning Path? What kind of investigative research did I do? Activities to plant the phenology seed in everyone’s mind What have I learned throughout this process? Future goals

What is phenology and what are phenophases? What is phenology? Phenology is the science of the seasons… What are the phenophases? Lifecycle changes that are displayed during a plant or animal’s life. Some common phenophases are: initial growth (emergence), budding, leaf out, flowering, fruiting and seeding Common animal phenophases are migration, hibernation and breeding. Phenology is the science of the seasons. It is how the plants and animals respond to environmental cues or climatic changes such as the temperature, the amount of sunlight and precipitation. -The phenophases are the definite life cycle changes that are displayed in accordance with these changes. Some common plant phenophases are the emergence, budding, full leaf, flowering, fruiting, seeding and dormancy. Common animal phenophases include migration, hibernation and breeding.

What is a phenology trail and how will it enhance existing CMN Learning Path? -A phenology trail is an interactive path where nature observers observe, record and track phenological events of designated plants or animals.

My investigative research included the following: The review of various phenological organizations as well currently running phenology trails Plant identification on the trail collaborative work Development of: Phenology Trail Project Manual Phenology webpage I had conducted research on a plethora of phenological organizations as well as existing phenology trails -Discovered that the Wisconsin Phenological Society was the first organized group in the U.S. officiated in 1963 (had been gathering since 1959) --Aldo Leopold the Father of Wildlife Management had started conducting phenology study on his property in Southern Wisconsin in 1935 but died in 1948 while fighting a fire. He wrote the Sand County Almanac. --GLFWIC Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission Phenology Study done by the Climate Change Program study of treaty harvested plant species. Long term monitoring of plant budding (have a phencam with time lapse of spring green out, emergence of insects, migration of birds and thawing of lake ice. --USA National Phenology Network Nature’s Notebook is an invaluable resource with a Basic Botany Guide; how to observe, record and track observations; how to develop a phenology trail, educational outreach

Planting the seeds within the community Earth Day Mini-Bioblitz Collaborated with US Forest Service, Menominee tribal professionals and community members Community meetings

What I have learned through this process: Basic botany including plant identification How to identify phenophases and the variables that affect them How to engage in collaborative work with multiple tribal and nontribal organizations How to develop and utilize available technologies

Future Goals Continued development of Phenology Trail Project Manual Additional community input Selection of plant or animal species to be observed Further trail construction: i.e. signage Work with other college and community groups to encourage the use of the trail

Acknowledgements Sustainable Development Institute & Center for First Americans Forestlands: Chris Caldwell, Dean Fellman, Marie Schaefer, Rebecca Edler, Cherie Thunder, Cynthia Norton College of Menominee Nation: Dale Kakkak, Dr. Dennis Vickers, Dr. William Van Lopik, Lucy Fenzl UW-Extension: Jennifer Gauthier USDA Forest Service: Dr. Jennifer Youngblood, Dr. Christel Kern University of Minnesota: Dr. Rebecca Montgomery Menominee Tribal Enterprises: Jeff Grignon Community Educators/Menominee Plant Knowledge Holders: Richard Annamitta, Ron Bowan, Jr., Bonnie Mckiernan Fellow interns: Denise Kasprzak, Enos Anton, Ciara Powless, Eric Nacotee, Adam Schulz, Brandon Boyd, Kasey Paiser, Jaycee Tourtillott