Redbud Citizen Science Project: Make a contribution from your own backyard
Redbuds are iconic spring bloomers, but we still don’t perfectly understand the timing of their flowering and fruiting. Do you want to help scientists learn more about these small trees? Join the Redbud Phenology Project!
The Redbud Phenology Project seeks to answer questions like these and more:
- When do eastern redbud trees flower and fruit across the tree’s range?
- How does the timing of these events vary across geography and elevation?
- Has the timing of flowering and fruiting advanced in recent years?
By signing up as a Nature’s Notebook observer and tracking the seasonal activity of redbuds in your area, you will collect important information to help scientists answer these questions!
Since the project began in late 2018, hundreds of citizen scientists have contributed data 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? Join for a virtual information session and training on Thursday, January 9th at 1pm ET using this link.
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.
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Posted: 16 December 2024
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