Project Budburst is a new national citizen science field campaign that targets native flower and tree species across the U.S. The project runs from August 1 – June 15, and participants are asked to observe when buds, leaves, and flowers first begin to appear on plants. This year Project Budburst will target 30 native trees and shrubs, 24 wildflower species, two common exotic ornamentals, and two common exotic weeds.

By recording when native species first start to grow leaves and flowers each year, we can learn about the climatic characteristics of an area over time. These records can then be compared to historical records to illustrate the influence of climate change.

If you would like to become involved with this project, please visit the Project Budburst website. Here you can get the list of species for your region and find more information on how to document your observations. After submitting your records online, you will be able to view summaries and maps of all the species monitored.

Your participation and observations are a vital part of climate change research, so join us this spring and be a part of the Project Budburst community!