Engaging volunteers in tracking seasonal & long-term environmental change Nature’s Notebook: LoriAnne Barnett Education Coordinator Alyssa Rosemartin Partnerships and Applications Specialist January 5, 2016

U NDERSTAND HOW SPECIES AND LANDSCAPES ARE RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE. Primary goal Create a standardized, long-term dataset for use in multiple types of research. Mission Make phenology data, models and related information available. Encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to observe and record phenology. Photo credit: C. Enquist

Standard protocols Web & mobile apps Tools for download and visualization, with climate data Campaigns QA/QC Example science and management applications published OMB Control #:

~6,200 active observers ~7,700 active sites 6.3+ records Lilac data from taxa from 2009

Observations RECORD KEEPING

Reproduction Development Method Activity ANIMAL >> Mammal, Bird, Snake, Insect Flowers Fruits Leaves PLANT Observable life cycle events or PHENOPHASES

One or more open, fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between or within unfolded or open flower parts (petals, floral tubes or sepals). Do not include wilted or dried flowers. Do you see…open flowers? Velvet mesquite, Prosopis velutina Image credit: Patty Guertin

Mobile app interface Image credit: Wikimedia commons "Cornus florida 02 by Line1

Data Analysis & VISUALIZATION

Alliaria petiolata Photo credit: Jody Shimp, Illinois Department of Natural Resources from Invasive.org. Phenology calendar for controlling garlic mustad

Extremes The western US had the earliest spring on record The East-West difference was the greatest on record Schwartz preliminary data 2015 – exceptional year

Volunteer ENGAGEMENT

Who observes phenology? Scientists Gardeners/Agriculturists Land managers Educators Youth Photo credit: C. Enquist Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: S. Schaffer

People.

Sea level rise 1-2 inches per decade Birds winter ranges will change – how? Where? oaspub.epa.gov/eims/eimscomm.getfile?p_download_id=4011 Frequent and severe floods and drought Reduction in biodiversity How Will Climate Change Affect the Mid-Atlantic Region?

Invasive species that thrive in warmer and wetter environments could displace beneficial Mid-Atlantic species and create pest control problems.

People. Meaningful Exited to contribute to actual research Supported Use and share data collected Committed to long-term participation. Image credit: L. Barnett

Phenology TRAILS & NETWORKS

What is a Phenology Network? Image credit: L. Barnett Collaboration between multiple Nature’s Notebook monitoring sites in a region Share a common goal for science, management, or outreach seeking answers to questions Work together, with trained volunteers, to collect observations Image credit: L. Barnett

Phenology Networks Understanding Phenology

Santa Fe Botanical Gardens ABQ BioPark Botanic Gardens Valle de Oro NWR Sevilleta NWR Whitfield Wildlife Conservation Area Bosque del Apache NWR Bernardo Wildlife Area Rio Grande Phenology Trail: Green represent the current RGPT Partners, yellow represent other locations that have expressed interest in joining the Trail Randall Davies Audubon Center

Phenology Networks Historic Records

Phenology Networks Established in 2012 and covering 75 miles in the greater Tucson area, the Tucson Phenology Trail links UA to the community while encouraging: active, outdoor education asking and answering local science, management and climate questions connection via like-minded organizations through participation in a shared community science and research project Tucson Phenology Trail Community Engagement

Indigenous Geography PHENOLOGY NETWORKS

“Wouldn’t it be great to create a network for tribal college students working with their faculty to do phenological observations on their native homelands?” -Dr. Dan Wildcat at Rising Voices I Indigenous Geography Phenology Networks

Haskell Wetlands Phenology Walk

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs – pilot phenology project goals Find the appropriate fit for use of phenology data on CTWS lands Implement monitoring Adopt and standardize existing USA-NPN protocols Training Develop data management techniques Kick-off meeting Spring 2016

Tulalip Tribes & Northwest Indian College Seeking to develop a program that combines tribal interests (cultural and natural) and student learning. Partners: Hibulb Cultural Center NWIC Native Environmental Science Program Natural Resource Team at Tulalip NEON USA-NPN

Blending western into traditional approach to understanding Data management/sharing All data contributed to NPN belongs to the contributor, but it is released for any and all downstream use by anyone. We are open to making policy and tech/data management changes, to support partnerships. Consider FOIA and IT security issues. Challenges

Resources

Developing scientific questions to answer, using Nature’s Notebook:  What questions do you have about the seasons in your area?  What kind of observations would shed light on the question?  How to collect, store, share and interpret observations, appropriately for the question and context? Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Project planning

Connect with USA-NPN… Become an observer Discover new tools and resources Visit a local phenology trail LoriAnne Barnett Alyssa Rosemartin