The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN; www.usanpn.org) is developing a nationwide participatory biological monitoring program focused on phenology (timing of life-cycle events such as migration, emergence, flowering) of plants and animals.
Phenology is a great tool for tracking the pulse of nature across a variety of scales, because it is sensitive to environmental variation, affects many goods and services provided by natural systems, and is relatively easy to observe. One part of our online program (at www.usanpn.org/how-observe or click Observe! on our homepage) allows citizens, researchers, natural resource managers, and educators to submit phenology observations that will contribute to research and education, and that will complement existing monitoring programs. We will broaden the program to include animals just in time for spring! But, we need a descriptive, simple, and catchy name for this on-line program, and we?re asking for your help. In fact, if we chose your suggestion, we?ll help cover the cost of your attendance at any upcoming professional meeting this year. The name should appeal to a broad range of participants, from amateurs to professionals (e.g., ?citizen scientists,? educators, resource managers and scientists), reflect the identity of this long-term project, and help both attract and retain participants. Contribute your suggestions to [email protected] by 12 February 2010. We?ll go live with the newly named program and a redesigned web-site in early March?in the meantime, learn more about USA-NPN at www.usanpn.org, and consider participating in 2010! Jake F. Weltzin Executive Director, USA National Phenology Network [email protected]
