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

When I walk my dog, I take observations at the same time. She gets to sniff and I get to see the plants change over time, which is really amazing.

– Lise G., Portland, OR

Contribute to Scientific Discovery

Contribute to Scientific Discovery

Nature's Notebook is emerging as invaluable tool that scientists and the public and use for tracking the impacts of climate change.

- Dr. Richard Primack, Boston University, Boston, MA

Teachable Moments

Teachable Moments

Students in my classes benefit from the outstanding opportunity Nature’s Notebook provides to share their data on plant and animal life cycles with a national audience.

- Dr. Heidi Steltzer, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO

We're hoping to collect one million observation records in 2014. Track our progress and help us reach our goal!

Go to your observation deck

Phenology refers to key seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year—such as flowering, emergence of insects and migration of birds—especially their timing and relationship with weather and climate.

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 »

Attend a webinar to learn more »