1. Introduction to USA-NPN and Nature’s Notebook
USA-NPN NCO
September 2016

2. phenology data & information
What is USA-NPN all about?
Collect • Store • Share
phenology data & information
The USA National Phenology Network is a network made up of individuals and organizations across the country that collect, store and share phenology data, models, and related information.
We seek to:
Enhance and support scientific discovery regarding species and ecosystem responses to changing climate and environmental conditions
Inform decisions in natural resource conservation and management, human health, recreation, and land use; and
Communicate and connect with Individuals, partner groups, and stakeholders to ensure that they have an improved understanding of the value of phenology and sustain long-term participation in monitoring phenology.
Advancing Science
Informing Management
Communicating & Connecting
Photos: Brian F Powell

3. How are we structured? Data Products Non-standard or Historical data
National Phenology Database
The Nature’s Notebook program is the primary way that the data come into the National Phenology Database, but the USA-NPN is much broader than Nature’s Notebook alone. The USA-NPN provides scientifically vetted, standardized protocols for phenology monitoring of over 1000 species of plants and animals (species list available at
Partners such as USFWS and NPS collect phenology data directly through the Nature’s Notebook plant and animal observation online program, which can be used by professional and citizen scientists alike.
Other agencies, including National Ecological Observatory Network and US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, utilize the USA-NPN’s monitoring protocols outside of the Nature’s Notebook interface.
All records are deposited in the National Phenology Database, from which customized, Quality Controlled raw and summarized datasets can be freely downloaded to support scientific discovery and ecosystem management decisions. The Database also supports historic and non-standard datasets such as the historic cloned lilac dataset which dates back to the 1950s.
The USA-NPN aims to deliver derived phenology data products which are outlined in the Data Product Development Framework and Data Product Catalog, available at
USA-NPN Standard Protocols

4. How do we get the data?
A multi-taxa, national-scale plant and animal phenology observation program
How do we get the data we need? Primarily through Nature’s Notebook, a multi-taxa, national scale plant and animal observation program. People can participate as individual citizen scientists, or as a part of a group, or through a professional organization.

5. How do we get the data? 7,800+ active observers 8,400+ active sites
8.2M+ records*
We have many observers across the country who regularly observe plants and animals through Nature’s Notebook.
*As of Spring 2016

6. Nature’s Notebook: Protocols
Standardized protocols for 815 plant and 322 animal species*
Nature’s Notebook observers collect data using scientifically vetted, standardized protocols for the 815 plants and 322 animal species currently on the Nature’s Notebook list of species. These protocols include a list of phenophases questions that ask about the phenology activity occurring on an individual plant, or observed in an animal species. Each of these phenophases is defined in detail, often with species-specific information to assist observers. Observers answer whether or not they see the phenophases occurring, and also can answer an optional question about the intensity, or degree to which the phenophases is occurring.
*As of Spring 2016

7. Nature’s Notebook: Interface
Paper datasheets and a web browser OR mobile apps
Observers can enter data either with traditional paper datasheets that they then enter onto a web browser application, or they can skip the paper datasheets and enter their observations directly onto our mobile apps.

8. Nature’s Notebook: Training
Resources online and in print, including a one-hour training course
We have a variety of training resources to assist observers to use Nature’s Notebook, including a printable How to Observe Handbook and Botany Primer, on online Learn How to Observe Guide, and a one-hour training course with quiz questions.

9. Nature’s Notebook: Data Visualization
Personalized phenology calendars and tools for data exploration of all data in the National Phenology Database
We also offer Tools to assist observers and researchers to visualize the data. Personal phenology calendars allow observers to better understand the data they collect and correct errors in their data. The USA-NPN Phenology Visualization tool allows researchers and the public to explore patterns in the data of the National Phenology Database.

10. Nature’s Notebook: Quality Control
Quality assurance – for the data coming in
Quality control – for the data in the National Phenology Database
We have various measures that we take to ensure the highest quality data, including quality assurance to ensure that the data are collected in a standardized way by trained volunteers, and quality control, which includes various quality control flags that are available in the data downloaded from the National Phenology Database. This QA/QC document, available on our website, outlines the current measures we have, and those we plan to implement in the future.
Available at

11. Where do the data go?
The USA-NPN data, both historic and contemporary data, have been used in over 50 peer reviewed publications. Read about some examples on our website:
USA-NPN data products have been highlighted in Third National Climate Assessment, EPA Climate Indicators of the United States, and the US Global Change and Research Program’s Indicators of Climate Change

12. What we’ve learned so far from
Phenology observations help manage invasive species (Wallace et al. 2016, Chapman et al 2014)
Warmer winters affect timing of spring leaf out in plants (Fu et al. 2015, Mazer et al 2015)
Daytime temperatures - rather than nighttime - trigger leafing in temperate plants (Piao et al 2015)
Springs are arriving earlier (Allstadt et al 2015) and the growing season is getting longer (Yue et al 2015)
and more! Visit
We’ve learned a lot so far from published research studies that have used data collected through Nature’s Notebook. We learned that phenology observations help manage invasive species, warmer winters affect timing of spring leaf out in plants, daytime temperatures - rather than nighttime – trigger leafing in temperate plants, and springs are arriving earlier and the growing season is getting longer than in the past. You can read about these studies and learn about other examples on our website.

13. Join us! Photos: Brian F Powell
There are many ways to become a part of the USA national Phenology Network
Collecting data for Nature’s Notebook in your yard, a nearby park or as part of a field study.
Organizing a phenology effort locally for data collection, research and/or education.
Participating in one of our Research Communities or attending a phenology-related meeting.
We invite you to join us!
Photos: Brian F Powell

14. Contact nco@usanpn.org
Questions?
Contact
USA-NPN NCO
September 2016