Thank you for your continued patience as we put the finishing touches on the new Nature's Notebook app! We are still getting the app ready for our beta testers. We want to make sure that the app is bug-free and as intuitive to use as possible.

You will be hearing more from us soon, but in the meantime check out this page for updates on the timeline and what's changing. As we get closer to launch we will update this page with additional support materials including how-to documents, videos, and more.

Learn more »

We want to hear from K-12 educators about whether and how you've engaged students in learning about phenology. Please complete our survey by Wednesday, May 20 about your experience and interest working with phenology topics in the classroom.

The survey is also a place to indicate your interest in joining an Educator Working Group comprised of K-12 educators across the country working to bring Nature's Notebook to the classroom. We welcome you to share the survey with educators who you think might be interested in this opportunity! This work is supported by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Complete the survey »

Many of you have likely received emails from McKinsey Tighe. As our Student Outreach Assistant, McKinsey has been leading our campaign communications and social media and assisting with training resources for the past three years. This month, we share a bittersweet farewell to McKinsey as she graduates from the University of Arizona and moves onto her next chapter. Congratulations, McKinsey!

Stay tuned to meet our new Outreach Assistant next month.

The timing of phenological events in autumn like leaf color and leaf fall have important consequences for nutrient cycling, species interactions, and even tourism. However, there has been less research on autumn phenology than spring phenology and the effects of temperature, precipitation, and day length are not well understood. To fill this gap, researchers used Nature’s Notebook observations of autumn phenology from woody plant species across the U.S. They found strong regional differences. Leaf color in the eastern U.S. was driven primary by summer temperatures, whereas in the western U.S., leaf color change was influenced more strongly by precipitation that occurred more than six months prior. Given these differences, the effects of climate change are likely to be complex. Increased temperatures may extend the growing season for some plants and increased drought may shorten the growing season for others.   

Read the Publication Summary » 

The Bloomingdale Trail Phenology Program's dedicated team tracks autumn brilliance serviceberry phenology along the Bloomingdale Trail, an elevated park running through Chicago. This Program is a shining example of both rigorous data collection and dedicated community engagement. In 2025, volunteers developed a community-created serviceberry cookbook, designed a tree guide, led educational walks, participated in pop-up events along the trail, and even got an article about their Program published in a local Chicago paper. Congratulations, Bloomingdale Trail Phenology Program Leaders and Observers, the USA-NPN's 2025 PhenoChampion!

Learn more about the Bloomingdale Phenology Trail »

We are thrilled to welcome 14 newly Certified Local Phenology Leaders who completed our 10-week LPL Certification Course last month. Congratulations, we can't wait to see the amazing things that you will do with your Programs!

• Avvah Rossi, Greenway Botanical Garden at the Naval Cemetery, NY
• Beth Reidhead, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension Demonstration Trail, AZ
• Cathy Corlett, Portland, OR
• China Rubiano, Riverside Rhythm, TX
• Colleen McKee, RGNCSP Phenology Trail, NM
• Dan Dalan, Northern Plains Environmental Phenology Network, ND
• Dana Cairns Watson, Bruin Nature Trackers at UCLA, CA
• Gregory Kearney, East Carolina University, NC
• Jameson Chace, Salve Regina University and Norman Bird Sanctuary, RI
• Jean Persely, Monarch Meadows, MI
• Jim Grice, Lyons Phenology Program, LA
• Keith Babberney, Emerald Ash Borer Early Detection, TX
• Tom Kirwan, Texas Woman's University and Phenology hosted by Elm Fork Chapter Texas Master Naturalists, TX
• Veronica Hardy, Old Woman Creek Phenology, OH

See the full list of Certified Local Phenology Leaders »

We were devastated to learn of the recent passing of Sandy DeSimone, Director of Research, Education, and Land Management and Local Phenology Leader at Starr Ranch Sanctuary in California. Sandy was not only a great biologist but also an exceptional mentor to hundreds of students and staff. You can see Sandy in our Nature's Notebook video that highlights Starr Ranch. Our hearts go out to Sandy's family and the many lives she touched through her decades of conservation work.

Read an article about Sandy on newzz.net »

The Gulf Coast Phenology Trail tracks the seasonal changes of plants along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Alabama. The Trail consists of 27 partner organizations that all track the same focal species. Read more about recent Trail activities in this great article from Mississippi State University Extension.

Read the article »

Have you checked out our new Nature's Notebook Community Forum? It provides a platform to share resources, ask questions, and make connections with fellow observers. We have some great topics going including ideas for phenology book club, a phenology traveling trunk/education kit, and marking plants at your sites. There are also Regional Connections Forums to provide a space to connect with others in your area. You'll need to be logged in with your Nature's Notebook account to post and reply.

Explore the Forum »

Signs of spring look different across the country. In DC, the blooming of cherry blossoms is an iconic marker of spring. Check out this short podcast on the art and science of predicting cherry blossom timing!

Listen to the podcast »

We're excited to share a series of interpretive writing pieces created by high school students about their experiences tracking phenology with Nature's Notebook!

Students in Dr. Ava Goodale’s Environmental Science Research Course at Deerfield Academy collected environmental data as volunteer scientists, analyzed those data in a technical report, and created an interpretive writing piece that tells a story about their experience. The students featured in this series participated in Nature’s Notebook campaigns and were kind enough to share their writing with us.

Eleanor duPont »

Henry Cron »

Chuck Haight »

Have you joined us lately for a Nature's Notebook Nest? These calls are an opportunity to ask questions and chat with USA-NPN staff, fellow observers, and Local Phenology Leaders. The calls occur on the first Monday of the month at 12pm PT / 3pm ET. Mark your calendars, our next Nest is June 1! If you sign up for reminders we'll send you an email a few days before and then the morning of the call with the meeting link.

Sign up for reminders about the Nest »