Help collect valuable data on climate change right in your own yard or community!
Join other citizens collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering of trees and flowers in your area through Project BudBurst, a national phenology network field campaign for citizen scientists. (Phenology is a fancy word that simply means the study of the timing of biological events, such as the flowering of plants, in relation to climate conditions.) By recording the timing of the leafing and flowering of native species each year, scientists can learn about the prevailing climatic characteristics in a region over time. With the help of us regular citizens, scientists will be able to compile valuable environmental information that can be compared to historical records to illustrate the effects of climate change.
Plan to participate in this important effort! Be ready to start on January 1!
As with most citizen science project, there's a little effort up front, but usually this is a one-time thing, simply confirming its accuracy each year. For example, they need to know your latitude and longitude coordinates. (Here's one way to find your lat/long just by entering your zip code.) Generally, I've found the set-up data gathering to be interesting since it helps me be more observant about my yard. Collecting climate change information is very important to our children's future! I'm glad we gardeners have this additional opportunity to make a difference.
Project Budburst is a collaborative effort of Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Conservation Alliance, National Phenology Network, National Science Foundation, US Bureau of Land Management, UCAR Office of Education and Outreach, University of Arizona, University of Montana, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Windows to the Universe, and ESRI.
