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To: Bluedot Living
From: Sara Bois, Ph.D., Director of Research and Education at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation
Subject: Pheno Champions! The Linda Loring Nature Foundation Wins Award
This past spring the Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF; llnf.org) was recognized for excellence in phenological research and outreach with an award from the National Phenology Network.
The National Phenology Network named LLNF as PhenoChampions for their work in observing, recording, and educating the public about phenology. Phenology is the timing and cyclical patterns of events in the natural world, particularly those related to the annual life cycles of plants, animals, and other living things. These natural events include the budding of leaves in spring, the arrival of migratory birds, insect hatch, and the flowering of plants. Phenology is a vital field of ecological research that helps us understand how organisms respond to environmental cues such as temperature, day length, and rainfall, and how climate change can impact these seasonal changes.
For the past ten years, LLNF has studied the phenology of a diversity of plant species including common, native shrubs that are signature species of the Nantucket landscape.
Phenology is a key part of the research program at Linda Loring Nature Foundation. Across the 275-acre property on Eel Point Road, eight micro-sites are monitored for changes in native shrubs like Black Cherry, Bayberry, Low-bush Blueberry, and Scrub Oak, among other species. These sites also have sensors to record temperature data and a weather station records site-specific climatic information such as precipitation and relative humidity. LLNF also collaborates on an island-wide phenology project with Northern Kentucky University researcher Dr. Yingying Xi, investigating native versus invasive shrub phenology on Nantucket.
The National Phenology Network selected LLNF for the PhenoChampion Award to recognize the work developing long-term phenology dataset, their dedication to teaching students about phenology, and engagement of the public in learning about climate change impacts. Each year, interns, volunteers, students, and staff collect data and contribute to the success of this program. Thank you to the dozens of people who have supported our phenology program over the last ten years.
“The USA National Phenology Network exists to collect, store, and share phenology data and information to aid in scientific discovery, decision-making, and understanding by the public. The USA-NPN would not be able to accomplish this goal without the support of Local Phenology Programs like Linda Loring Nature Foundation and Local Phenology Leaders like Dr. Sarah Bois. These Programs are essential in teaching their local volunteers, students, and members of the public about phenology and supporting them in collecting high-quality data.”
– Erin Posthumus, Partnerships & Projects Manager, USA National Phenology Network
The phenology research at LLNF is a cornerstone of the climate change and phenology educational programming at LLNF which often includes hands-on field experiences. This outreach opportunity perfectly encompasses the LLNF’s goals in education and research: to share real-world research with the community, and for the education programs to incorporate projects happening “on the ground” at LLNF.
LLNF also recently received a grant from the Nantucket Garden Club which will be used to help create additional interpretive signage and other materials to highlight phenology and encourage others to join in the data collection.
What you can do
If you are interested in participating in phenology data collection with LLNF or in your own backyard, check out the information on our website (lnf.org/phenology) or contact Director of Research and Education, Dr. Sarah Bois, to learn more about how you can participate ([email protected]).
