Keeping an Eye on Mother Nature

I’ve hiked with a friend who is an avid amateur naturalist. He will point out, name and provide useful tidbits about every plant, blossom and critter along the trail. It’s not a way to cover a lot of ground, but paying attention to the fine details of the land makes for an enjoyable walk. Now, if I could just remember it all …

Folks like my friend, or those who aspire to better understand the environment, now have an outlet — the USA-National Phenology Network. Sure, the name seems daunting, but in this case big words can translate to actions most people who love the outdoors already do: watch the animals and pay attention to the plants.

Based at The University of Arizona, the network describes itself as a consortium of government, academic and citizen-scientists. They study the seasonal cycles of nature, or phenology. When do plants flower or fruit? When do animals reproduce, migrate or hibernate?

Whether caused by climate changes or other occurrences, shifts in these patterns can signal trouble in the natural world. Now, the organization wants help.

Volunteers can join a program that teaches simple ways to track the life cycles of nearly 200 species of plants. Next year, the program will expand to include the monitoring of animals.

So if you spend your spare time outdoors, put it to good use. Afterwards maybe you’ll be the amateur naturalists who can amaze friends by knowing every plant on the trail.