Introduction to Project BudBurst Mr. Hefti – Pulaski High School CSA 503 Spring 2014

Essential Questions What is citizen science? What is Project BudBurst? What can be gained through participation? Which plants should be observed? How do you report observations?

Project BudBurst needs your help! Create PBB account Make observations of plants Submit findings Make more observations Submit more findings View data on website Biology Class Tree – Flowering Pear (2/14)

What is citizen science? “You don't have to work in a laboratory or wear a white coat to be a scientist. In fact, you don't even have to have any formal training. Average citizens are getting involved in the scientific process every day by participating in citizen science, a movement in which volunteers are helping professional scientists collect and analyze data. This mobilization of volunteers allows a wide range of data to be collected quickly.”

Examples of citizen science projects

and of course… Network of people who monitor plants as seasons change National field campaign designed to engage public in ecological data collection Based on the timing of leafing, flowering and fruiting of plants (plant phenophases) Scientists use data to learn about how plant species respond to climate change locally, regionally and nationally Thousands of people from all 50 states have participated!

What is the Project BudBurst mission statement? “Engage people from all walks of life in ecological research by asking them to share their observations of changes in plants through the seasons.” Biology Class Tree – Flowering Pear (6/13)

Who can participate? Open to people of all ages and abilities Observations needed from diversity of plant communities Past participants: School groups Backyard naturalists Gardeners Seniors in retirement communities Scout groups College professors and their students Hikers Professional botanists and ecologists Visitors to botanic gardens Visitors to Wildlife Refuges and National Parks Others interested in contributing to a better understanding of plants and climate change

Is there a cost to participate? Everything you need to participate can be found on the Project BudBurst website and is freely downloadable

Is special training needed to participate? All the information you will need to participate can be found on the web site

Environmental benefits of participation By monitoring plant *phenophases scientists can figure out how seasonal patterns are changing and make predictions for the future *Noting when the first buds appear, when the first flowers appear, when leaves drop in the fall and other parts of plant life cycles

Example Phenophase Observations

Project BudBurst website PBB Get Started Page Demonstrate RegistrationRegistration

How-to select plants to observe Several options available Select plants that are easily accessed Observe plants that are interesting to you Biology Class Tree – Flowering Pear (9/12)

Plant Groupings to Observe

Select a plant by state Click on your state to see which plants are available!

Select a plant off the PBB Master Plant List The Master Plant list contains over 250 species!

Select a plant off the PBB Top 10 List! 9 out of the top 10 PBB plants are found in New York state!

“Free choice” Report observations of any plant that interests you! Flowering pear tree outside of room 211 not on PBB list Biology Class Tree – Flowering Pear (4/12)

Observation reporting protocol 2 ways to report data… – Regular Reports – Single Reports

Use regular reports if you plan to make several observations of the same plant over the course of the season. This method of reporting is preferred.

Use single reports if you just want to report once or observe a plant that you will probably not visit again this season.

Practice Eastern White Pine Report – make sure to register first!

Practice Single Report Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) needles

Practice Regular Report Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) bark

Now Submit Your Observations! Remember that every plant tells a story! Whether you have an afternoon, a few weeks, a season or a whole year, you can make an important contribution to better understand changing climates in your area. The Project BudBurst website provides everything you need to get outside, make reports, and share what you find with others. Sign up and start making Project BudBurst observations today.

Mr. Hefti makes an observation of a unique plant while he is hiking in the woods. He takes a digital picture of the plant with his phone so he can look up the plant once home. He decides to submit observations to PBB… should he use: – Single reports? [or] – Regular reports? Mr. Hefti enjoyed observing the sugar maple tree behind his house change over the course of a year. He made detailed notes of when he observed changes in the plant. He decides to submit observations to PBB… should he use: – Single reports? [or] – Regular reports? Assessment

Let’s revisit our essential questions… What is citizen science? What is Project BudBurst? What can be gained through participation? Which plants should be observed? How do you report observations?

Let’s review! Citizen science utilizes crowdsourcing for data collection Report plant phenophase observations to Project BudBurst Project BudBurst observations contribute to data to be analyzed to determine impact of climate change Choose a plant that works for you Complete report forms and then submit observations online

What’s next? Go to Project BudBurst website and decide if you want to proceed further If prepared to move forward… – Select plants – Register online If interested but not prepared see me for individual help! Attend my future Project BudBurst work sessions!

My contact information… Jamie Hefti Pulaski High School, 4624 Salina Street, Pulaski, NY (315) ext Please feel free to get in touch with me to discuss any questions you might have as well as for advice or troubleshooting!

Welcome to Project BudBurst! (important web links) budburst.org (organization home page) budburst.org budburst.org/getstarted.php (getting started) budburst.org/getstarted.php budburst.org/login.php (log in screen after account set up) budburst.org/login.php (for educators) (Mr. Hefti’s address)