Making meaning out of science: Using Nature’s Notebook to engage citizens in exciting and relevant research LoriAnne Barnett, Education Coordinator, USA-NPN Peter Warren, Urban Horticulture Agent, U of Arizona Coop. Extension

ASHS – Science and Volunteers Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Take-Aways: Phenology defined Phenology & management Phenology as a lens Master Gardener case study Photo credit: E. Alderson Photo credit: P. Warren

Phenology Just to be clear… phRenology – a pseudoscience focused on measurements of the human skull and size of the brain phOnology – a branch of linguistics concerned with the organization of sounds in language

What is Phenology? The science of the seasons Blooms and buds Hibernation, migration, emergence Easy to observe & record Valuable to research …it is the study of recurring plant and animal life-cycle stages, or phenophases, and their relationship to environmental conditions. Photo credit: S. Schaffer

10 minutes to get set up

USA National Phenology Network 654 plant species and 243 animal species = ~900 total 1815 observers reporting (6201 total) making ~250,000 observations

Phenology Reproduction Development Method Activity ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake, Insect, etc. Active individuals Feeding Male combat Mating Young individuals Dead individuals Individuals at a feeding station Flowers Fruits Leaves Breaking leaf buds Leaves Colored leaves Buds Flowers or flower buds Pollen release Ripe fruits PLANT PHENOPHASES Photo credit: P. Warren

ASHS – Science and Volunteers Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Take-Aways: Phenology defined Phenology & management Phenology as a lens Master Gardener case study Photo credit: E. Alderson Photo credit: P. Warren

… and sensitive to climate … and sensitive to climate change. “Phenology…is perhaps the simplest process in which to track changes in the ecology of species in response to climate change.” (IPCC 2007) “Because of their close connection with climate, the timing of phenological events can be accurate indicators of climate change.” (EPA 2010) Phenological patterns are important, economically and biologically

Phenology & management Documented changes in phenology across the United States

ASHS – Science and Volunteers Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Take-Aways: Phenology defined Phenology & management Phenology as a lens Master Gardener case study Photo credit: E. Alderson Photo credit: P. Warren

Phenology as a lens Horticultural science Environmental education Gardening practice Land Management

Phenology as a lens ©Wikimedia Commons Growing-degree days (GDD) are used to measure when to manage the moths Start accumulating once they are showing up in pheromone traps 175DD (base = 45) after first sustained catch is time for spraying Oriental fruit moth management

ASHS – Science and Volunteers Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: L. Barnett Take-Aways: Phenology defined Phenology & management Phenology as a lens Master Gardener case study Photo credit: E. Alderson Photo credit: P. Warren

Master Gardener Case Study Observed once a week for 8 weeks 1.Intro to Phenology 2.Research 3.Examples of application 4.Intro to Nature’s Notebook 5.Collect data YEAR 1

Master Gardener Case Study Observed once a week for 13 weeks Pre-assigned groups 1.Climate and life zones 2.Species and diversity 3.Phenology 4.Master Gardeners and Phenology 5.Future applications YEAR 2

Pima Extension Office Data Comparison 1.Data for Creosote in 2012 vs Data for Ocotillo in 2013 Dark Grey = no data Light Grey=User entered “no” Color corresponds to phenophase

Master Gardener Case Study Post Class Survey Results: “Surprised at how much more I paid attention to plants in my garden.”

Master Gardener Case Study FUTURE PLAN: Interpretive walk in garden, grounded in ecological process Focus on scientific questions on location tied to local research Emphasize how phenology is an indicator for best practices Nurture volunteers interested in year-round data collection Conclusions: Most MGs appreciate the opportunity Most MGs are still not inspired to carry on On site continuation rate of 20% achieved Photo credit: B. Powell

Phenology as a lens revisted Science questions to answer: Skills to teach: Observation Scientific process Record-keeping Is the monsoon season correlated with the dropping of ripe mesquite beans? When is the best time to harvest mesquite beans to get the most beans per effort? How far into the monsoon season is it safe to collect beans without aflatoxins?

Photo credit: L. Barnett QUESTIONS?

Thank you! Peter Warren You’re invited to connect with USA-NPN… Join the Nature’s Notebook community and become an observer Discover new tools and resources for research Share ideas with others LoriAnne