Project BudBurst is a national field campaign for citizen scientists designed to engage the public in the collection of important climate change data based on the timing of leafing and flowering of trees and flowers. Project BudBurst participants take careful observations of the phenological events such as the first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening of a diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses, including weeds and ornamentals, and especially targeting native species. The citizen science observations are reported to the national Project BudBurst database. 

Join us in collecting important climate change data on the timing of leafing and flowering in your area through Project BudBurst! With your help, we are gathering valuable environmental and climate change information from around the United States.

Read about us in the News!

Project BudBurst is managed by the following individuals and organizations. Project BudBurst is further supported by collaboratoring institutions and funded by generous contributions from our sponsors.

sh Dr. Sandra Henderson, Director, is a science educator at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research Office of Education and Outreach in Boulder, Colorado, where she serves as UCAR’s Manager for Professional Development Programs.  She oversees program collaboration and management. Her background is in climate change science education with an emphasis on teacher professional development and citizen science outreach programs. Before becoming a science educator, she worked as a project scientist studying the effects of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems.
Dr. Paul Alaback Dr. Paul Alaback, Lead Science Advisor, is Champion Professor of Forest Ecology and Director of Resources Conservation Program at the University of Montana, College of Forestry and Conservation. His research centers on understanding patterns of plant biodiversity of forest and grassland landscapes, and how they are affected by human-caused or natural disturbances and climatic variation along the Pacific coast and in the northern Rockies.  He has been leading the effort to establish a web-based Montana natural history guide for the University of Montana ECOS program and also directs the resource conservation program for the University of Montana.
kkm Ms. Kirsten K. Meymaris, Lead Web Technologist, is an Educational Technologist at University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Office of Education and Outreach in Boulder, Colorado. She is the lead Web Technologist and Instructional Designer for UCAR's Citizen Science Programs including international and national campaigns.  Kirsten brings over nine years of experience in educational technology with an emphasis on Web-based professional development materials for science and math teachers.
jsb Dr. Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Lead Science Educator, is Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at the Chicago Botanic Garden. As such, she supervises youth and teacher programs and citizen science initiatives at the Garden.  Jennifer brings expertise in both formal and informal science education.  Her areas of expertise include diversity studies, program design, and evaluation. Before joining the Garden she completed her graduate studies in Learning Sciences at Northwestern University.
Dr. Kayri Havens
 Dr. Kayri Havens, Lead Botanist, is Medard and Elizabeth Welch Director at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Her research interests include reproductive ecology and conservation genetics of plant species. Her research focuses on invasive plant species and has worked with a team that developed the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Invasive Plant Policy. Kay has worked with students from Northwestern University, Loyola University, and the University of Illinois Chicago. She leads work on conservation and restoration projects at University of Illinois Chicago in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden.
UCAR OEO

 

 The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) that supports research on atmospheric, ocean, and Earth science, and the impacts of climate and weather on societies everywhere. UCAR's Office of Education and Outreach is the institution’s point of contact for education and outreach information, resources, and dissemination, and houses NCAR's flagship Earth and space science educational Web site, Windows to the Universe.
Chicago Botanic Garden The Chicago Botanic Garden, with its world-renowned plant collections and displays, is one of the country's most visited public gardens and a preeminent center for learning and scientific research. In 1963, the Chicago Horticultural Society was granted 300 acres of forest on the outskirts of the city, and the Chicago Botanic Garden established roots. With the groundbreaking for the Garden in 1965 and its opening in 1972, the Society created a permanent site on which to carry out its mission. The mission encompasses three important components: collections, education and research.
University of Montana

 

 The College of Forestry and Conservation (originally School of Forestry) at the University of Montana was founded in 1913, one of the first programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The College has earned nationwide respect for the quality of its programs, and it has produced some of the nation's finest natural resource managers. College of Forestry and Conservation faculty members represent several natural resource disciplines, from resource management and social sciences to physical and biological sciences. The faculty takes pride in the attention devoted to teaching and counseling.