We've been receiving a lot of questions from you all about our new Nature's Notebook app that is currently in development. To help us share more about what's changing in the app, when it will be available, and when new features will be added, we've put together a new page on our website. This page will be updated frequently so check back for updates!

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We are thrilled to share that we recently received a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to support our work supporting scientific discovery and people's understanding of climate change effects on species, ecosystems, and biodiversity. With these funds, we will grow engagement in phenology observing and analysis among younger audiences, especially in the K-12 space. We will also substantially strengthen and expand our resources and support for our Local Phenology Programs. And finally, we will undertake the critical task of reworking the infrastructure supporting our real-time phenology forecast products. We are extremely grateful for this support from the Foundation and are very excited by the improvements these funds will enable!

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Results from many small-scale studies have shown that warming temperatures are causing plants to leaf-out and flower earlier than they have in the past. However, it has been difficult to know whether these patterns hold true for a wide variety of plant species at a continental scale. To answer this question, researchers used thousands of observations of plants in the eastern U.S. that were submitted to Nature’s Notebook. They found that leaf-out and flowering occurred earlier with warmer temperatures, but the effects varied among species and locations. Invasive species, shrub species, and species at southern latitudes were more sensitive to warming temperatures than other species. These patterns were similar to results from analyses of data collected by professionals and consistent with results from previous scientific studies, demonstrating the value of Nature’s Notebook observations.

If your data were part of this study, you should have received a separate email from us about this last month!

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An analysis of data from Nature's Notebook and iNaturalist revealed that on average, understory plants along the Appalachian Trail are flowering 3–10 days earlier for every 1.8°F (1°C) of warming. You may have read our publication summary on this research study late last year; this article in the National Park Service magazine PARKScience is written by one of the authors of the study, Jordon Tourville, and contains some interesting details about their research!

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Dr. Liang Liang studies phenology at the University of Kentucky. In a recent interview on Eastern Standard, a WEKU radio magazine, he discusses how he and other researchers have documented connections between climate change and shifting seasons.

Listen to the story »

In northern states, most plants will not need weekly observations in the middle of winter. However, if your species retains ripe fruit in the winter, you should still report on fruiting phenophases. In southern states, many species may have active flower buds or open flowers that will require normal weekly observations. Get familiar with the seasonal progression of phenophases for your species to predict what’s coming! 

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Why do trees "mast," putting out anomalously large quantities of fruits in a particulate year? A recent blog post from the Nature Conservancy dives into the potential reasons, including the "predator satiation hypothesis", weather conducive to pollination, and special communication between trees. The author also explores the implications for wildlife that consume the fruit and the potential impact of climate change on masting.

Read the blog post »

Stay connected with fellow observers and Local Phenology Leaders this winter at the Nature's Notebook Nest! These standing monthly meetings on the first Monday of the month at 12pm PT / 1pm MT & AZ / 2pm CT / 3pm ET are a great chance to ask your questions and get advice from fellow observers. Mark your calendars, next Nest is January 5. 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 »