Summer Solstice Snapshot


Summertime! And everyone loves to be outside and in nature. Look closely at the plants around you: what stories are they telling you?  What plants are flowering? Which are fruiting or dropping seeds?  In the heat of summer it can feel as though everything slows down, but the plants around you are still changing. How are they adjusting to changes in climate?  Your observations help tell their story!  Scientists, researchers, and students benefit from your observations.  

Why a Summer Campaign?

Flowers, trees, grasses - plants are very active in the summer months.  And... so our we. 

During this time of summer vacations and visiting new places, take a look at the local plants.  What do you see?

Picking wild raspberries or blueberries?  Take note of flowering and fruiting!  Submit a one-time report.  

Having a 'stay-cation' this year?  Keep track of your backyard trees or native plants in your neighborhood!  Add new phenology event dates to the life-cycle report your started this spring.  

The data you submit during the summer months helps scientists track how plants respond to changes in climate over time... You can check too!  When were Rudbeckia blooming in your state last year?  Five years ago?  View the data!  

How to Report Your Summer Observations

Reporting on flowers, trees and grasses you see this summer is easy!  Follow these quick steps.  

  • Identify your Plant - Check the over 300 species on the Budburst Plant List .  But, even if your plant is not on our list, you can still submit a report!  
  • Track your data - check your data from previous years in your Budburst Account, or view data from other observers using the Data menu.  Is this year's flowers or fruits appearing earlier or later than previous years? 

We invite you to track your plant over the entire growing season.  Create a Life-cycle Report to follow your tree through multiple phenophase events: Bud burst, first leaf, all leaves unfolded, first flower, full flower, first ripe fruit, full fruiting, 50% color and 50% leaf fall.  If you missed the first few entries, don't worry, the data you DO collect will be helpful!  


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