Nature’s Notebook

Connecting People with Nature to Benefit Our Changing Planet

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Nature's Notebook...

Nature's Notebook...

Nature's Notebook is a national, online program where amateur and professional naturalists regularly record observations of plants and animals to generate long-term data sets used for scientific discovery and decision-making.

Have Fun Outdoors

Have Fun Outdoors

Being an observer has connected me even more deeply with life in my neighborhood, and with the lives of individual species that I observe.  

– Cathie Bird, Nature's Notebook observer

Contribute to Scientific Discovery

Contribute to Scientific Discovery

Nature's Notebook gives the large Audubon CA volunteer community a chance to contribute to research above and beyond just listing bird species.

- Sandy DeSimone, Director, Starr Ranch Sanctuary—Audubon California

 

Status of Spring

Status of Spring

This year, spring leaf-out was 1-3 weeks late in the SE, northern Great Plains, MW, and NE and 1-3 weeks early across the central Great Plains and mid-Atlantic. The west is a patchwork of early and late arrival. 

See the maps

Celebrating 10 Years of Nature’s Notebook

2017 USA-NPN annual report coverThis month, we take a look back at the many accomplishments of the Network over the last 10 years. Our Annual Reports capture stories of how Nature's Notebook data are advancing the field of phenology, how decision makers use USA-NPN data and data products to make more effective decisions, and how Local Phenology Program partners engage local communities in meaningful citizen science experiences. You can explore these stories in our archive of past Annual Reports.

Learn more »

How your data are being used

Observing nature is fun. But it also serves a greater purpose. Your observations of plants or animals inform scientific discovery and decision-making:

How Your Data are Being Used

  • Scientists use your data in groundbreaking research.
  • Land managers use them to make better-informed decisions about natural resources in their care.
  • Decision-makers use them to determine policy.

Read about examples »