Phenology Walks and Trails as a Community and Scientific Resource

Multi-taxa, National-scale Plant and animal phenology observation program Citizen science Core protocols for research Nature’s Notebook for scientists, naturalists, volunteers, land managers, park rangers, and YOU!

Phenology Trails What is a Phenology Walk? A phenology walk is an observation site, created online in Nature’s Notebook and on the ground, that includes a series of tagged plants and a list of animals to observe. Often phenology walks are created along an existing trail at a park, refuge, school, or other open space. Combine walks to create a virtual trail… Photo credit: L. Romano Nature’s Notebook Plant Tag Example

Phenology Trails What is a Phenology Trail? A phenology trail is a linked network of Nature’s Notebook phenology walks. Each walk has at least two plant and/or animal individuals tagged for data collection. Linked together, these sites provide participants with places to visit, enjoy nature, collect data, and learn about supporting organizations.

Phenology Trails Why a trail? Interesting way to link phenology monitoring activities in a region Easy to model Develops science and outreach connections between organizations with similar mission Science, Phenology, and Climate Change Education opportunity at the local, regional, national, and global scale Facilitate, Network, Educate – Create Connections

Organizations collaborate/share resources to collect observations Phenology Trails Develop a regional science/research/management question Data collected is useful to answer the question Participants help assess the data and answer the question Data is valuable to the broader USA National Phenology Network Trained participants collect observations at multiple sites

Phenology Trails Example questions: How is the phenology of selected species responding to elevational gradients and the urban environment across the study sites? When is the best time to harvest mesquite beans for dehydrating, (knowing that those remaining on the ground too long may become toxic)? Which bird species are visiting the wildlife refuge prior to wetland restoration, during restoration, and after restoration? How do those species numbers compare to other regional sites? What plants receive the most visits from pollinators in demonstration gardens across the sites? How many host milkweed plants, across sites, are used by migrating monarch butterflies? And when do the monarchs arrive?

Phenology Trails Phenology English Plant & People Connections Local Ecology & Biodiversity Habitats

Phenology Trails Tucson Phenology Trail Biosphere 2 Tucson Audubon Mason Center UA Campus Arboretum Sam Hughes Neighborhood Pima Extension Offices (2) Rincon Heights Neighborhood SRER Borton Elementary School Tumamoc Hill Arizona Sonora Desert Museum* Tucson Botanical Garden* Total of 75 Miles, start to finish 3-10 species tagged at each *Coming online soon

Phenology Trails Tucson Phenology Trail species being monitored Jojoba Velvet mesquite Yellow paloverde Blue paloverde Ocotillo Creosote Florida hopbush Saguaro Penstemon (parryi) Texas Ranger Desert Ironwood Tagged at each site on the trail.

Phenology Trails When do white oak trees leaf out in the spring and, subsequently, lose their leaves in the fall? NASA Satellite Aerial & On-the- ground Photography Schoolyard habitats Nature Centers Refuge Biologists Volunteer Groups

Phenology Trails can: Link community groups Help with research and management questions Engage volunteer groups Photo credit: L. Barnett Existing Phenology Walks & Trails: Tucson ✪ Phoenix ✪ Denver ✪ Albuquerque Portland ✪ New York

Thank you! LoriAnne Barnett You’re invited to connect with USA-NPN… Sign up for a phenology e-newsletter (quarterly) Join the Nature’s Notebook community and become an observer: Contribute to science while having fun! Discover new tools and resources for work or play LoriAnne