|
Greetings!
I hope that you are enjoying the summer and staying cool if you can. Here in Tucson the heat is balanced by a daily chance (however slim!) of restorative monsoon rain.
We are looking forward to having the full USA-NPN team here in Tucson this week to attend the annual Botany meeting. As a mostly remote team, this is a rare opportunity to gather together with our fellow staff and partners. Hope to see some of you at Botany!
We continue to push hard on refining the new Nature's Notebook app. I know many of you are as eager as we are to have the app out in the world! We apologize for any inconveniences that the delay in the app launch has caused. Our primary goal is to release an app that is easy to use and provides a smooth transition for our existing observers. You can follow updates on our new app webpage and learn about progress of beta testing below. Thank you for your patience!
| |
What's new at Nature's Notebook and USA-NPN
| | Nature's Notebook app update | |
We are continuing to make progress on our new Nature's Notebook app. We had a very helpful first round of feedback from beta testers focused on the observation experience for independent and Local Phenology Program observers, as well as ensuring that past observations made from any device are visible in the app (a new feature). We anticipate starting a second round of beta testing in the next couple weeks focused on features that use our new map functionality, including adding plants with their own individual locations. You can try out an updated Demo version of the app to get a feel for the new app.
Learn more »
Test out the Demo version »
| | | See you at Botany in Tucson? | |
Next week, the Botany 2026 meeting will take place in Tucson, Arizona -- the hometown of USA-NPN HQ! We'll have a strong presence at the meeting and look forward to connecting with you. Please stop by our booth in the meeting expo, attend one of our team members' presentations, and join us for a lunchtime phenology meet-up on Tuesday Aug 4 at noon!
Learn more »
| | | Observer Profile: Finding Connections through Nature - Tree Spotting in Urban Boston | |
Check out our latest Observer Profile written by UCLA student Chloe Cheng. We learn about Nature's Notebook observers Beth and Kevin Mahar, long-time observers with the Tree Spotters at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 a creative piece to tell the observer's story.
Read the Observer Story about Beth and Kevin »
Read the first Observer Story about Chris Peters »
| | | New logo coming with the new app | 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. | | | Welcome new USA-NPN team members Oskar, Caitlin, and Evan! | |
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 »
| | |
Recent happenings in the field of phenology | | Nature’s Notebook data reveal how climate impacts flowering in eastern redbud trees | |
The appearance of bright pink flowers on eastern redbud trees is a reliable indicator that spring has arrived for many people in the eastern U.S. However, the timing varies across the species’ range and not much is understood about the climate conditions that trigger flowering. A team of researchers used Nature’s Notebook observations from more than 150 sites across the eastern U.S. to identify how temperatures and daylength influence flowering in eastern redbuds. They used a novel modeling approach to show that both the amount of cold in winter and warmth in spring are important. However, the relative amount of cold and warmth needed to trigger flowering differed among sites. Trees in the north needed more cold and less heat to flower than trees in the south. Using these results, researchers can make accurate predictions about redbud flowering given recent climate conditions and better understand the potential impacts of climate change.
Read the Publication Summary »
| | Photo: Dulcey Lima, The Morton Arboretum | | 141 years of blueberry ripening data | |
Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts has been recording the date when blueberries ripen every year for 141 years. Check out the story that featured on NPR's "Morning Edition" and lovely video the wonderful reporters at WBUR created to celebrate this effort.
Listen to the story »
| | |
Especially for Local Phenology Leaders | | LPL Certification Course applications open | |
Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 Local Phenology Leader Certification Course, which will run September 14 - November 20. The course is designed to help you plan and implement a long-term Nature's Notebook Local Phenology Program. 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.
We have had a lot of interest in the Fall course! Applicants not accepted to this Fall's course will have another opportunity to take the course early next year. Our Winter 2027 course is slated for February-April.
Learn more and apply »
| | | |
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. There are 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 »
| | | Heliotropes: phenological sun dials | |
Heliotropes, created by Architect Davidson Norris, are a combination of art piece, solar instrument, and educational tool. They present a wonderful opportunity for botanical gardens, nature centers, and other organization to engage the public in phenology. Heliotropes are custom designed with real phenological data so that the sun's shadow falls on markings that correspond to the timing of life cycle events. If you install one, please let them know you learned about Heliotopes through the USA-NPN and Helioscape will donate a portion of the proceeds to Nature's Notebook!
Learn more »
| | | Monthly calls for LPLs and observers | |
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 August 10 (one week late due to the Botany meeting). 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 »
| | | | | |
