Theresa CrimminsUSA National Phenology Network

Observing & reporting urban tree phenology: What’s in it for community

forest partners?

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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 Crimminstheresa@usanpn.org@TheresaCrimmins

Dudley Hartelwww.UrbanForestrySouth.org

dhartel@fs.fed.us@ufs_cuif, @treeobs

Leavesofchangeweekly.org