Beta testing for the new Nature's Notebook app is officially underway! This is a period where a small group of observers are testing the new app. We have already heard valuable feedback and caught some important bugs. We have open beta testing opportunities for backyard observers, Program members, and Program administrators. We so appreciate your help!

Sign up to be a beta tester »

Learn more about the new app »

Oskar Anderson, joining us as Plant Specialist, recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.S. in Natural Resources. He worked with us as a student and we are thrilled to now have him with us full-time! Oskar is a botanical expert and works to compile and disseminate botanical resources to Nature's Notebook observers to make data collection more intuitive. So far, he has collected phenophase photos for over half of our Nature's Notebook species!

Learn more about Oskar »

Caitlin Lukacs, our new Student Outreach Assistant, is studying Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. She helps create content for social media, manages campaign messages, and supports Nature's Notebook observers. If you are signed up for our campaign messages, you may have already seen her name in your inbox!

Learn more about Caitlin »

Evan Dial is joining us for the summer as our Educational Resource Accessibility RISE Intern. Evan is studying Natural Resources at the University of Arizona and will be updating the USA-NPN Botany and Phenophase Primers so they are compliant with accessibility standards.

Learn more about Evan »

We are once again offering the Local Phenology Leader Certification Course this fall from September 14 - November 20. The course is designed to help you plan and implement a long-term Nature's Notebook Local Phenology Program. Local Phenology Programs engage groups of observers in tracking plants and animals together at the same location. The course is online and interactive; participants work with peers across the country and with USA-NPN staff to gain skills in program planning, volunteer recruitment, phenology monitoring, data visualization, and collaboration.

Learn more »

Sign up for the interest list »

We're excited to share our NEW Nature's Notebook logo, created by Kim Daly, the Designer of our new app! We'll be switching over to this logo once the new app is out. Keep this change in mind if you're creating and printing materials! We will make a full suite of logos available for your use upon release of the new app.

Check out our latest Observer Story, written by UCLA student Amanda Lyons, featuring Chris Peters. Chris is a photographer and observer with The Bloomingdale Trail in Chicago. This story was part of UCLA Faculty Dana Cairns Watson's course "Science Writing for Public Engagement and Community Science Projects." Students interviewed Nature's Notebook observers and then wrote creative pieces to tell observer stories. In the coming year, we will be releasing nine more Observer Stories written by UCLA students.

Read about Chris Peters' observation journey »

Due to scheduled maintenance, the USA-NPN Learning Site will be offline Monday (6/29) and Tuesday (6/30) mornings between 12-6am ET. During this time, you will not be able to access courses on the Learning Site. Thank you for your patience!

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 » 

Season Watch is a podcast centered on Minnesota phenology. Tune in to hear observations from callers across the state. Whether you're a Minnesotan or listening from somewhere else, it's fun to hear what others are observing! Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at the link below.


Listen »

Do you have challenges following our observation protocols for certain species? Have you noticed a phenophase definition that doesn't match what you're seeing in the field?

We created a new Forum topic where you can provide feedback. Our new Plant Specialist, Oskar Anderson, is working on revising protocols and phenophase definitions for clarity. We would love to hear from you!

Contribute in the Forum »

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 July 6th!

Sign up for reminders about the Nest »