A series of workshops are being held by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant for individuals interested in becoming citizen scientists and learning about rockweed phenology along the coast in Brunswick. The first training is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick, with additional workshops taking place in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden, and Boothbay throughout April and May. A full schedule is available on the Signs of the Seasons webpage, and a 3-part webinar series is also offered for those unable to attend in person.
At 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. Signs of the Seasons 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, which are crucial for understanding Maine’s changing climate. The data collected by volunteers helps to create a detailed record of the region’s seasonal changes that can be used by collaborating scientists and resource managers.
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
