Nature's Notebook
Nature's Notebook
Embedded Files
Nature's Notebook collects data on cyclic/seasonal natural occurrences (phenology).
Nature's Notebook collects data on cyclic/seasonal natural occurrences (phenology).
Goals of Nature's Notebook Research:
Goals of Nature's Notebook Research:
- Connect with plants or animals that you see all the time in a brand new way.
- Phenology data helps scientists predict threats to people and the environment such as wildfires, drought or flooding.
- Learn about how climate change is impacting timing in nature.
- Helps us decide the timing of events:
- Harvest, irrigation, and conduct controlled burns in forests
Why Observe?
Why Observe?
Phenology is a key component of life on earth. Collecting data for the project allows you to be outside and discover the wonders of nature at your own pace as they change through the seasons.
Phenology is a key component of life on earth. Collecting data for the project allows you to be outside and discover the wonders of nature at your own pace as they change through the seasons.
- Track the impact of climate change on nature
- Deepen a connection with your local environment by monitoring changes closely
- Contribute to new and exciting scientific discoveries
- Have fun outside
And so much more!
And so much more!
Phenology and Climate Change
Phenology and Climate Change
We have been able to predict with accuracy when seasonal changes would occur, but in a world where the climate is changing rapidly it is important data is kept up to date!
We have been able to predict with accuracy when seasonal changes would occur, but in a world where the climate is changing rapidly it is important data is kept up to date!
Climate change creates shifts in seasonal changes like hibernation, migration, flowers blooming, budding, and leaves turning colors.
Climate change creates shifts in seasonal changes like hibernation, migration, flowers blooming, budding, and leaves turning colors.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Research shows that the decline of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly in Indiana is partially attributed to the caterpillar eggs hatching before its host plant, the wild blue lupin, grows.
Research shows that the decline of the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly in Indiana is partially attributed to the caterpillar eggs hatching before its host plant, the wild blue lupin, grows.
Unique Location
Unique Location
Northwest Indiana packs a ton of biodiversity (different living things) in small area on the south shore of Lake Michigan. In the Indiana Dunes National Park alone you can find over 1,000 different species of plants.
Northwest Indiana packs a ton of biodiversity (different living things) in small area on the south shore of Lake Michigan. In the Indiana Dunes National Park alone you can find over 1,000 different species of plants.
Each of these different fish, plant, mammal, bird, insect, and fungi species experience their own lives that change as the year/seasons progresses.
Each of these different fish, plant, mammal, bird, insect, and fungi species experience their own lives that change as the year/seasons progresses.
Who Runs Nature's Notebook?
Who Runs Nature's Notebook?
The USA-NPN brings together citizen scientists, government agencies, non-profit groups, educators and students of all ages to monitor the impacts of climate change on plants and animals in the United States.
The USA-NPN brings together citizen scientists, government agencies, non-profit groups, educators and students of all ages to monitor the impacts of climate change on plants and animals in the United States.
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
Choose a location you can easily access repeatedly-such as your yard or park across the street.
Choose a location you can easily access repeatedly-such as your yard or park across the street.
Identify the plants that are growing there and make a list of animals you will look for each time. Double check the Nature's Notebook list to be sure your organisms are trackable in their system.
Identify the plants that are growing there and make a list of animals you will look for each time. Double check the Nature's Notebook list to be sure your organisms are trackable in their system.
Record observations about your area:
Record observations about your area:
- Animals that are there
- Stages of plants
- Leaf
- Buds
- Flowers
- Fruit
- Big weather events
Visit your site(s) as often as possible.
Visit your site(s) as often as possible.
At least once a week is good, but several times a week or even once a day is even better during times of the year when things are changing quickly.
At least once a week is good, but several times a week or even once a day is even better during times of the year when things are changing quickly.
The final step in observing is to submit your observations online via your Nature's Notebook account.
The final step in observing is to submit your observations online via your Nature's Notebook account.
There are no time or frequency requirements.
There are no time or frequency requirements.
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
Data is accessible and used by the following USA-NPN Partners for studies and environmental regulations:
Data is accessible and used by the following USA-NPN Partners for studies and environmental regulations:
Researchers and Scientists
Researchers and Scientists
Natural Resource Monitors
Natural Resource Monitors
(National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Agricultural Professionals)
(National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Agricultural Professionals)
Educators and Teachers
Educators and Teachers
The community!
The community!
Data will be used to monitor the impact of climate change and events (storms, pollution spills) on all organisms!
Data will be used to monitor the impact of climate change and events (storms, pollution spills) on all organisms!
Project Perks
Project Perks
Connect with plants or animals that you see all the time in a brand new way.
Connect with plants or animals that you see all the time in a brand new way.
This project provides vital data to scientists that are studying how climate change affects the natural world.
This project provides vital data to scientists that are studying how climate change affects the natural world.
You have the potential to observe dozens of different species as they experience seasonal changes.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
You have the potential to observe dozens of different species as they experience seasonal changes.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- Nature's Notebook collects data on cyclic/seasonal (phenology) changes in the environment.
- Nature's Notebook is a project of the USA National Phenology Network.
- Data collection will allow scientists to know what organisms live in your area.
- The data will allow scientists to determine the impact climate change or big events are having on the progression/timing of organisms in the environment.
- This project allows you to collect data whenever you like from a big list of observable plant and animal species.
Page updated
Report abuse