Our 2024 Annual Report highlights the accomplishments of our observers and partners, including a study of advancing spring along the Appalachian Trail, an analysis of how often scientific research using Nature's Notebook data are used in policy and decision-making documents, a shout out to our 2023 Pheno Champions, Linda Loring Nature Foundation, and a summary of our ongoing work to revamp the Nature's Notebook mobile app to lower barriers and provide a fun and welcoming experience for all.

Read the report »

If you use the Nature's Notebook mobile app, it's a good idea to periodically make sure that your data have successfully been uploaded to the USA-NPN's database.

How to do this? On your app, select Review from the top menu (you may need to scroll over to the right to see it). Then look for the Sync button at the bottom of the screen. Once your data have successfully synced you should see a green bar at the top of the screen that says User data are up to date.

Thank you for taking a few moments to ensure that the observations you collect so carefully are available for anyone who may want to use your data!

Want to help make the Nature's Notebook app better?

Join the Participant Pool and help shape our new app »

Did you take part in Phenology Week? If you missed any of our daily webinars you can catch up on the webinar recordings. We talked with some of the researchers behind three of our Nature's Notebook campaigns, heard USA-NPN Director Theresa Crimmins share stories from her new book, Phenology, and talked with researchers who have been using Nature's Notebook data in scientific publications, and more!

Watch the webinar recordings »

The long wait is over...the USA-NPN's Phenophase Primer is live! This extraordinary 240-page resource will address all of your questions regarding the nuance of phenophase status in plants. It is also a wonderful feast for the eyes, revealing incredible details in the seasonal events occurring quietly among our plant friends.

Download a copy of the Primer »

How early is spring this year and how does it compare to years past? We can answer this question using observations of plants and identifying the weather conditions that are needed for plants to leaf out and flower. For many years, the USA-NPN has shared maps, called the Spring Leaf Index and Spring Bloom Index, that show when weather conditions associated with events that signal the start of spring are reached. However, an early start to spring does not necessarily mean that subsequent springtime events will also occur early.

A team of researchers used thousands of observations submitted to Nature’s Notebook to identify conditions associated with events that occur later in the spring. And soon, maps for a Late Bloom Index, that depict the timing of activity in the latest-blooming plants, will be added to the USA-NPN Status of Spring page. This new index, combined with the usual Spring Leaf and Spring Bloom Indices, will give us better understanding of how spring is progressing each year. 

Read the Publication Summary »

Resting buds transitioning out of dormancy - which buds are which? What are the cues? When do I start reporting? The cues for a plant’s transition from dormancy to renewed activity can be subtle, yet can be quite visible if you are watching closely. It may take careful sleuthing—and sometimes previous experience—to detect the early stages. The tightly clasping bud scales of the dormant buds—or tightly packed leaves of naked buds—begin to shift or ever-so-slightly "swell" and may also shift color. These signals suggest that reporting on "Breaking leaf buds" and "Flowers and flower buds" is not long off.

Learn more »

USA-NPN Director Theresa Crimmins was recently on two podcasts talking about phenology and why we should care about it - In Defense of Plants with Matt Candeias and A Way to Garden with New York Times garden columnist Margaret Roach. If you missed them, I highly recommend giving them a listen!

Listen to In Defense of Plants »

Listen to A Way to Garden »

Join the Nature's Notebook Nest - bring your questions and observations and chat with USA-NPN staff, fellow observers, and Local Phenology Leaders! These are standing monthly meetings on the first Monday of the month at 12pm PT / 3pm ET. Mark your calendars, next Nest is May 5th! If you sign up for reminders we'll send you an email a few days before and then the morning of the call.

Sign up for reminders about the Nest »