Phenology Trail and Tribal Colleges: An introduction to collaboration

1. Phenology Trail and Tribal Colleges: An introduction to collaboration LoriAnne Barnett Education Coordinator, USA-NPN

3. Amelanchierarborea: Serviceberry or “shadbush” Blooms when shad are running in rivers

4. 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

5. Objectives • Define phenology • Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network • Phenology trails • Science and collaboration Photo credit: L. Barnett

6. Phenology • What is phenology? • The science of the seasons • Blooms and buds • Hibernation, migration, emergence • Easy to observe …it is the study of recurring plant and animal life-cycle stages, or phenophases, and their relationship to environmental conditions. Photo credit: L. Barnett

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

8. Using nature as a guide ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake Reproduction Activity Development Observable life stages PLANT Flowers Leaves Fruits

9. Using nature as a guide Photo credit: Google images Camellia spp. Norfolk Botanical Garden

10. Objectives • Define phenology • Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network • Phenology trails • Science and collaboration Photo credit: L. Barnett

11. USA National Phenology Network Primary goal Create a standardized 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. Understand how species and landscapes are responding to climate change. Photo credit: C. Enquist

12. Nature’s Notebook for scientists, naturalists, volunteers, land managers, park rangers, and YOU! Photo credit: L. Romano

13. Nature’s Notebook Plant and animal species = 943 total 3112 observers reporting (9655 total) making 482,343 observations1 11,440 sites 1As of 02-11-14

14. Nature’s Notebook

15. Nature’s Notebook ANIMAL > Mammal, Bird, Snake, Insect Reproduction Activity Development Method • Male combat • Mating • Active individuals • Feeding • Young individuals • Dead individuals • Individuals at a feeding station PHENOPHASES PLANT Flowers Leaves Fruits • Young leaves • Leaves • Colored leaves • Flowers or flower buds • Open flowers • Ripe fruits • Recent seed or fruit drop

16. Mobile Apps for iPhone and Android You MUST have your account completely set up online first to use the mobile apps!

18. Photo credit: L. Barnett

19. Photo credit: L. Barnett

20. Photo credit: P. Warren

21. Objectives • Define phenology • Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network • Phenology trails • Science and collaboration Photo credit: L. Barnett

22. Phenology Trails What is a Phenology Trail? A phenology trail is a network of Nature’s Notebook observation sites. Each site has at least two plant and/or animal individuals tagged for data collection. Observations help us remember what happened, and when.

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

24. Phenology Trails • Tucson Phenology Trail • Current locations • Biosphere 2 • UA Campus (2 sites) • Sam Hughes & Rincon Heights Neighborhood • Pima Extension Offices (2 sites) • Tucson Botanical Garden • Pima County Parks and Rec • USGS Buffelgrass Project • Tucson Audubon Mason Center • Santa Rita Experimental Range • Total of 75 Miles, start to finish • 3-10 species tagged at each

25. Phenology Trails • Species being monitored • Jojoba • Velvet mesquite • Yellow paloverde • Blue paloverde • Ocotillo • Creosote • Florida hopbush • Saguaro • Penstemon (parryi) • Texas Ranger • Desert Ironwood • +++ Tucson Phenology Trail www.usanpn.org/Tucson-Phenology-Trail

26. Objectives • Define phenology • Nature’s Notebook and the USA National Phenology Network • Phenology trails • Science and collaboration Photo credit: L. Barnett

27. Science and collaboration Help achieve programmatic goals Within and between organizations

28. Science and collaboration Develop your own scientific questions to answer, using Nature’s Notebook: • What questions do you have about seasonality in your backyard? • What evidence do we have that there are seasonal changes? Why? • Create a list of observations you’ve made, plan to record them in Nature’s Notebook as regularly as possible for at least a year Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: L. Barnett Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons Photo credit: P. Warren Based upon inquiry lessons in science.education.nih.gov

29. Science and collaboration Science questions to answer: 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 for harvest? Photo credit: P. Warren Photo credit: P. Guertin

30. Design a PHENOLOGY PROGRAM • What is your science question? • What outcomes do you want to achieve? • What are the activities you can do? • What are the resources you already have? • Who would be potential partners? Long-term observations help the USA-NPN and can help local programs! Photo credit: L. Barnett

31. Science and collaboration Help achieve programmatic goals GOALS and OUTCOMES • Short term (within a year) • Engage participants in collecting observations, year round, on mesquite trees • Develop activities for youth and adults at sites to encourage observations of mesquite trees • Medium term (within 3-4 years) • Share data with participants, develop a phenology calendar for the mesquite tree • Encourage participants to recruit others to collect observations • Long term (5+ years) • Make general recommendations for safe harvest times Within and between organizations

32. How can I participate? • Set up a site and regularlycollect and enter data • Create science questions • Visit a partner group site and regularly collect and enter data • Participate in a regional campaign • Think about phenology as a lens to natural world

33. Join a Campaign • Help researchers answer key questions • Get localized results and an end of season summary • Find the right campaign for your location: www.usanpn.org/nn/connect/region

34. Nature’s Notebook Home: • More Ways To Connect • Attend a Webinar • REGISTER! Tuesday, March 4, 2014 – PopClock: How do I get started? What good are my observations? Tuesday, March 11, 2014 – How Nature’s Notebook can help you meet science and outreach goals Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 – Botany 101: Plant parts and tricky phenophases

35. QUESTIONS? Photo credit: L. Barnett

36. 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 Barnett lorianne@usanpn.org @loriannebarnett Thank you! LoriAnne Barnett lorianne@usanpn.org