Download - Observing & Reporting Urban Tree Phenology: What's In It for Community Forestry Partners?
Theresa CrimminsUSA National Phenology Network
Observing & reporting urban tree phenology: What’s in it for community
forest partners?
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2013
Dudley HartelUSDA Forest Service
Urban Tree Phenology for Urban & Community Forestry
In this presentation … A word about crowd sourcing & citizen science Professional arborists & urban
foresters How can it help your
organization What is phenology Nature’s Notebook U&CF NGOs & their volunteers An example: Casey Trees
Crowd Sourcing vs. Citizen Science
Crowd sourcing … the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or
content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people
distributive problem solving
Citizen science … scientific research conducted, in whole or in part,
by amateurs or nonprofessionals public participation in scientific research (also known as) crowd science, crowd-sourced
science, or networked science
Urban Forestry Professionals & Community Partners
Urban forest managers and arborists…
see direct relationship between their phenology observations and information valuable for planning & management
can work regionally (e.g. an ISA chapter) to leverage their immediate impact
Community Partners for U&CF…
will have volunteer opportunities for a wide range of interest & ability
provide another level of support to your community’s U&CF program
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: L. Barnett
Photo credit: P. Warren
What is phenology?
• Linked to environmental conditions
• Integrative• “Fingerprint” of change• Easy to observe
Photo credit: L. Barnett
…it is the study of recurring plant and animal life-cycle stages, or phenophases, and their relationship to environmental conditions.
Observing change over time
I observed an unusual circumstance this spring on the foothill of Moscow Mountain, northern Idaho, elev. 3000‘.
I have been monitoring the arrival of hummers for many years here--they range in arrival from early to late April. Usually the Calliope is first, followed by the Rufous. Over the last few years, the Rufous have been either arriving at the same time or before the Calliope. This year the two were nearly simultaneous on Apr. 23. About a week later I spotted the Black Chinned--usually not often seen, and never before late June/July (followed in late summer by the Broadtailed).
Comparing regionally
Value of tracking phenology tocommunity forestry partners
Photo credit: P. Warren
Generate baseline dataUncover new patterns or threats to resourcesSchedule management activitiesEngage members, volunteers, visitors
Collecting baseline information
Photo credit: P. Warren
Noticing when something is“not quite right”Frequent visits to trees can enable early identification of developing problems
Phenology can guide planning:Tracking leaf fall to improve water quality
http://kstp.com/news/stories/S2979604.shtml?cat=1
Primary goals• Observe phenological events• Understand how plants, animals
& landscapes respond to climate change
• Create a standardized dataset to support research and decision making
USA National Phenology Network
Collect, store, and share phenology data
and information
A multi-taxa, national-scaleplant and animal phenology
observation program
• Standardized protocols• 3,000 observers reporting on 650 plant
and 250 animal species• Web and mobile apps for data entry• Data download and visualization
Nature’s Notebookis for scientists, naturalists, volunteers, land managers,
park rangers, and YOU!
L. Barnett
USA National Phenology NetworkRegistered Nature’s Notebook sites
The basics of tracking phenologyusing Nature’s Notebook
The basics of tracking phenologyusing Nature’s Notebook
>95%
The basics of tracking phenologyusing Nature’s Notebook
>95%
Using Nature’s Notebook… • …as a way to engage volunteers• …to answer urbanization and climate
change questions• …to better understand seasonal events in
urban trees
Engaging volunteers in two ways:• Through • Through continuing education classes
usanpn.org/nn/casey-trees
usanpn.org/nn/casey-trees
Casey Trees
usanpn.org/nn/casey-trees
One way to implement:Phenology trails
What is a Phenology Trail? …a network of Nature’s Notebook observation sites.
Education Resources
• Curriculum resources• Outreach materials• NN “Getting started” resources• Training webinars
Education Resources
usanpneducation.blogspot.com
Register Legacy Phenology Data
Interested? What’s next?
The USA-NPN can support you in…
• Envisioning and implementing your effort
• Managing and accessing your data• Connecting with others• Accessing curriculum and resources
for outreach purposes
Photo credit: L. BarnettWe’d love to have you join us!
Thank you!
You’re invited to connect with USA-NPN…• Join the Nature’s Notebook
user community: sign up for our quarterly Partners Newsletter
• Become a Nature’s Notebook observer: Contribute to science while having fun!
• Discover new tools and resources for work or play
Theresa [email protected]@TheresaCrimmins
Dudley Hartelwww.UrbanForestrySouth.org
[email protected]@ufs_cuif, @treeobs
Leavesofchangeweekly.org