Dec

Become a Citizen Scientist – Join the Redbud Phenology Project!

One of spring’s earliest harbingers is the delicate lavender blooms of the Eastern Redbud, but there is still some mystery about when and why these small trees bloom each year. Do you want to help scientists learn more about the Eastern Redbud?

The Redbud Phenology Project seeks to answer questions like these and more:

Does the timing of redbud flowering vary by location or elevation?
Is there a cycle to abundant years of redbud fruiting?
Are redbuds flowering and fruiting earlier in the year?

By signing up as a Nature’s Notebook observer and tracking the seasonal activity of an eastern redbud tree where you live, you will collect important information to help scientists answer these questions!

Since the project began in late 2018, approximately 361 citizen scientists have contributed data at 231 sites across the country. These citizen scientists have helped project members test different ideas about the biology of the eastern redbud. For example, they have tested whether they are wind pollinated and how far their seedpods are dispersed. They have also explored whether redbuds go through cycles of mass seedpod production and less seedpod production, which seems to occur every 2 years. These patterns have been interesting so far and they are looking forward to learning more with your help!

Want to find out what’s involved? Watch a recording of our virtual info session and training where we explain the significance of this project, walk you through the steps of creating a Nature’s Notebook account and registering a redbud tree, and describe how to make observations and submit them online. Watch the video.

This year’s training will take place in early January, date and time to be determined. Stay up to date on the Redbud Phenology Project by signing up for emails with news, resources, results, and more!

Questions? Contact Samantha Brewer, USA National Phenology Network, at samantha@usanpn.org or Dr. Jorge Santiago-Blay, National Museum of Natural History, blayj@si.edu and Penn State York, blayj@psu.edu .