Embedded Files
What is Phenology?
What is Phenology?
When do flowers bloom? When do leaves fall? When do birds begin to migrate South? These are all questions related to phenology, the study of seasonal cycles in nature.
Check out this time lapse example of phenology in action!
Check out this time lapse example of phenology in action!
This video shows the time-lapse footage of dagwaagin (autumn) in fast motion at GLIFWC’s phenology site in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) wants to hear about what you’ve been seeing. GLIFWC climate change staff are collecting phenological observations from around the Ceded Territories. Submit observations such as plants budding, animal sightings, unusual storms, or anything else to the GLIFWC Phenology Calendar Google Form.
Courtesy of Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission's Fall PhenoCam footage.
Through phenology studies we can see patterns emerge that tell the story of how biodiversity and climate change are linked.
Through phenology studies we can see patterns emerge that tell the story of how biodiversity and climate change are linked.
Check out other phenology networks and projects:
Check out other phenology networks and projects:
USA National Phenology Network
Wisconsin Phenological Society
The Ohio State University Phenology Garden Network
Eastern Pennsylvania Phenology Project (Lehigh Gap Nature Center)
Educational Materials
Educational Materials
What is Phenology slides
What is Phenology slides
Resource Type: Power Point slides introducing phenology
Grades: All grade levels
What-is-Phenology.pptxResource Type: Lesson plans and supporting materials for creating three varieties of wheels
Grades: All grade levels
Description:
Using Wheels of Time and Place is a way to visually explore and understand phenology, cycles, culture, and the interrelationship of life.
The “Gikinoo’wizhiwe Onji Waaban” (Guiding for Tomorrow) or “G-WOW” Initiative is a service learning curriculum that integrates place-based evidence of climate change with science and promotes action. Learn more about the G-WOW curriculum.
GWOW Phenology Wheels of Time Lesson Plan_4accessibilityupdating.pdfA Phenological Phenomenon
A Phenological Phenomenon
Resource Type: Lesson plans and supporting materials for Phenological Puzzle, lake stratification demonstration, and graphing lake stratification
Grades: 5 - 9 (Phenological Puzzle: K - 9)
Description:
Phenology is the study of recurring events in the life cycle of plants and animals, many of which are closely tied to patterns of climate and seasons. One important phenology event that scientists observe is the onset of lake stratification. In this lesson, students will be introduced to the concepts of phenology and lake stratification before observing phenological data about the onset of lake stratification for Lake Superior. Students will graph the onset of lake stratification data for Lake Superior and make inferences from their graphs. They will also be encouraged to provide ideas for research projects that could shed light on the trends observed in their graphs.
A-Phenological-Phenomenon-Lesson-Plan_LakeSuperiorLakeStratificatoin_EEinWisconsin.pdfResource Type: Online tool, activities and curricula
Grades: All grade levels
Description:
Observing phenology through Nature's Notebook offers place-based, hands-on learning opportunities, provides a collaborative platform for site-based educators, promotes cross-subject engagement while addressing standards of learning, and can be used to identify and answer local scientific research questions addressed by many natural resources, volunteer, and gardening groups. Explore Nature's Notebook activities.
Climate Change Connections
Climate Change Connections
Connect phenology with climate change studies
Connect phenology with climate change studies
PBS Wisconsin Education - Phenology and Climate Wisconsin
In this video, Nina Leopold Bradley recounts how she learned as a child to record first flower blooms and the arrival of birds on her family's land along the Wisconsin River. She introduces the practice of phenology, or the study of the timing of life cycles of plants and animals, and explores evidence of climate change from records her family has kept since 1935.
US EPA - The Green House Effect
This animation uses narration and illustrations to explain the greenhouse effect and how it relates to climate change. It starts by describing the Earth's energy balance and the natural greenhouse effect. It then explains how human activities are contributing to an enhanced greenhouse effect that produces global warming.
US EPA - Wildlife and Wildlands
EPA partnered with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Park Service,U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to produce a new educational kit, Climate Change, Wildlife, and Wildlands Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators.The kit contains case studies, activities, and a video based on the highest quality climate science, environmental education and stewardship information, and is designed to educate, inspire, and engage students everywhere to become stewards of our nations wildlife and ecosystems.
Resource Type: Website
Grades: All grades
Description:
Many students want to take an active role in combating climate change and are interested in how they can do so in the classroom. Educators have the opportunity to embed elements of climate change into their lessons to ensure these students have the knowledge they need to address the issue in the capacity they see fit. The resources below can help you guide students toward an understanding that climate change is no longer just of interest to scientists and that students themselves can take an active role by learning about it, and perhaps choosing a field in which they tackle climate change in the future.
GLIFWC Beings on the Move
GLIFWC Beings on the Move
Agenda and Sample of Activity Timing
Tutorial on How to Create the Google Form Response Excel Spreadsheet
Resource Type: Lesson plan and additional resources
Grades: All grades
Description:
This activity applies traditional knowledge of the Lake Superior Ojibwe people and research from climate scientists to demonstrate how different plants and animals may be affected by climate change. Ojibwe people have lived in relationship with plants and animals for a long period of time. Their knowledge can help evaluate how climate change is affecting all of us. Students will also learn about Ojibwe culture and language in this activity. The Ojibwe refer to plants and animals as “Beings” to show them respect.
Want to get in sync? Try a phenology calendar:
Want to get in sync? Try a phenology calendar:
These Phenology calendars help you stay up to date on the timing of seasonal occurrences!
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station Nature Navigator
The CWES provides monthly phenology of local wildlife. Click on the desired month and see detailed descriptions for each week.
Friends of Pheasant Branch Phenology calendar (sale item)
Each month includes a quote from When It Happens: A Guide to Natural Events in Wisconsin, by local author Randy Hoffman. All photographs are taken in Pheasant Branch Conservancy by Middleton High School students and led by teachers Holly Stoenner and Sara Schultz. Monthly “look for” lists are from previous FOPBC phenology calendars designed by Andrea Gargas, PhD, Symbiology, LLC
Aldo Leopold Foundation phenology calendar (sale item)
Features monthly narratives explaining iconic phenological events. Curated by Aldo Leopold Foundation Senior Fellow Stan Temple, the sidebars help explain the seasonal events happening in your backyard and the calendar offers reminders for what you might expect to observe nearly every day of the year.
Page updated
Report abuse