Presenter: Theresa M. Crimmins, PhD, Director, USA National Phenology Network and Associate Professor, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona

Phenology is all about timing—when trees leaf out, flowers bloom, birds migrate, animals bear young and hibernate—and it is everywhere around us. Seasonal events quietly but steadily occur in response to fluctuations in daylength, temperatures, and rainfall patterns, and these events are rainfall patterns, and these events are threaded through our daily lives, shaping our experiences and perceptions. As such, the timing of seasonal activity is being affected by rapidly changing climate conditions, with significant ecological and economic impacts.

In this presentation, I’ll share a bit of what we know about how phenology is changing and why this matters, as well as examples of the sorts of insights we are gaining through these efforts. I’ll also share practical information about how you can participate in documenting the timing of seasonal life cycle events — both for your own benefit and for the good of the environment.