Extension of Sea Grant to host citizen science training

Volunteer community scientists practice common plant phenology observations in a training session co-hosted with the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. Umain cooperation expansion.

REGION — University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant will host a series of in-person workshops for individuals interested in participating in the Signs of the Seasons citizen science project. The first training session is scheduled for Thursday, April 4th from 12:30pm to 2:30pm at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick. Additional workshops will be held in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden and Boothbay during April and May. For a complete schedule, please visit the Signs of the Seasons web page at https://extension.umaine.edu/signs-of-the-seasons/training/. For those unable to attend in person, a three-part webinar series is also available.

A group of budding citizen scientists learn about rockweed phenology along the Brunswick coast. Umain cooperation expansion

Participants will learn how to make scientific observations of phenology (the study of cyclical and seasonal changes in plants and animals), practice their observations, and create their own site to observe and record changes in phenology. You’ll leave armed with the tools and knowledge you need to get started.

Signs of the Seasons seeks volunteers to identify and document changes in more than 20 different indicator species, including rockweed, milkweed, loons, butterflies, and lilacs, important to understanding changes in Maine’s climate This is a statewide effort. Data from this network of volunteers will help build a rich, detailed record of regional seasonal changes that will be made available to collaborating scientists and resource managers.

The workshop is free, but registration on the program website https://extension.umaine.edu/signs-of-the-seasons/training/ is required. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Keri Kaczor (keri.kaczor@maine.edu, 207.974.9502) or Beth Bisson (beth.bisson@maine.edu).

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