https://www.usanpn.org/natures_notebook

About Nature's Notebook
Nature's Notebook gathers information on plant and animal phenology across the U.S. to be used for decision-making on local, national and global scales to ensure the continued vitality of our environment.

Scientists alone cannot collect enough data: They need your help. Join more than 15,000 other naturalists across the nation in taking the pulse of our planet. You'll use scientifically-vetted observation guidelines, developed for over 1000 species, to ensure data are useful to researchers and decision-makers.

Why Observe?
HAVE FUN OUTDOORS
Where you observe is up to you. Participating is an exciting way to experience your favorite trail, neighborhood park or even your own backyard.

DEEPEN YOUR CONNECTION WITH NATURE
Going outside to look at plants or animals up-close will expand your knowledge of nature and open up new ways you experience the great outdoors.

LEARN ABOUT PHENOLOGY
You can intimately connect with plants or animals that you see all the time in a brand new way.

As an observer, you’ll notice things you never saw before. The slightest blush on a maple leaf that foreshadows the coming fall. The new, more vibrant feathers warblers put on days before mating. The swelling of a Palo Verde bean pod as it grows. You can develop a more nuanced appreciation of our natural world when you participate in Nature’s Notebook.

CONTRIBUTE TO SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY
Researchers, resource managers, educators and others use your data for scientific discovery and decision-making. Your data are a big deal!

Phenology data help us predict threats to people and the environment such as wildfires, drought or flooding. They help us decide the timing of events, from when to harvest or irrigate land to when to conduct controlled burns in forests.

Become an Observer (https://www.usanpn.org/nn/become-observer)
When you participate in the program, you’ll go outside to observe nature in your backyard or nearby area weekly and enter this information online.

Time commitment to...
Become an observer: About 10 minutes
Observe: About 2 minutes per individual plant or animal (once you’ve familiarized yourself with the program and learned how to observe).

For assistance with getting started visit our Learn How to Observe page (http://www.usanpn.org/nn/guidelines) where you will find step-by-step instructions and video tutorials to help you through the process.

Gulf Coast Phenology Trail
Bayou Sauvage NWR
Big Branch Marsh NWR
Couturie Forest Phenology Trail
Crosby Arboretum
Grand Bay NWR/NERR
Jean Lafitte NHPP
Barataria Phenology Trail
Bayou Lafourche Phenology Trail
McLeod Water Park
MGCCC Estaurine Education Center
Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR
Pascagoula River Audubon Center
USM Long Beach
USM Marine Education Center
Weeks Bay Reserve Phenology Trail