A group of citizen scientists in Brunswick is learning about rockweed phenology with the help of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant. The two organizations are hosting a series of workshops for individuals interested in participating in the Signs of the Seasons citizen science project. The first training session will take place on Thursday, April 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick, with additional workshops scheduled throughout April and May in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden, and Boothbay.
During the workshops, participants will learn how to make scientific observations of phenology, which is the study of cyclic and seasonal changes of plants and animals. They will practice making observations and leave with the tools and knowledge needed to set up their own observation site to record changes in phenology. The Signs of the Seasons project is a statewide effort to recruit volunteers to identify and record changes in over 20 different indicator species like rockweed, milkweed, loons, butterflies, and lilacs. These changes are crucial for understanding Maine’s changing climate.
The workshops are free but registration on the program website is required. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations contact Keri Kaczor at keri.kaczor@maine.edu or Beth Bisson at beth.bisson@maine.edu or by phone at 207-974-9502