The U.S.A. National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) was created to facilitate the collection and sharing of phenological data to support global change research. Scientists, federal agencies, academic institutions, environmental networks and the general public are working together to collect phenological data on a nationwide scale.
NPN gives guidance to help professional and citizen scientists select and observe appropriate species at their location, and then encourages them to register and submit the data they collect each year over the Internet. At this time, the program includes indicator plants (principally lilacs that facilitate comparisons between sites) and native plants suited to each region.
Project BudBurst came about as a result of an NPN meeting bringing together scientists and educators interested in supporting a field campaign that would encourage citizen scientists to participate. Reliable phenological data is needed to get a better understanding of ongoing phenological changes and the consequences for our ecosystems. You can do your part by participating in Project BudBurst!