Want to know when spring will arrive on your refuge?

Issue: Winter 2018

We hope that your 2018 is off to a great start! So far this year, weather in the west is drier and warmer than average, while the southeast has experienced cooler than normal temperatures.

How will plants and animals on refuges respond? Observations submitted to Nature's Notebook from across the country are already showing some interesting patterns. Check out how these observations line up with the prognostication from everyone's favorite forecasting rodent, Punxsutawney Phil.

Wondering when to start recording phenology at your refuge? Our new Status of Spring tool will help you predict the arrival of early spring plant and animal activity on your refuge. More details on that below!

Sincerely,

and

USA-NPN
USFWS Liaison

USA-NPN
Education Coordinator

Phenology on the Refuges

Will spring arrive early or late on your Refuge?

Our new Status of Spring tool shows you when spring is predicted to arrive at your refuge and how the timing stacks up to a long-term average.

At Sevilleta NWR, we predict that spring will start to arrive on the refuge today, February 8th. Once spring arrives, we can use the tool to compare the arrival date to a long-term average (1981-2010) to see if spring is earlier or later than normal.

To see the status of spring on your refuge, visit the Status of Spring tool and either type the name of your refuge in the search box or find it on the map.

Explore the tool on the USFWS Phenology Network website »

Save the date for Mayfly Watch on screen!

Our very own Mayfly Watch campaign will be featured on two television specials this year. National Geographic WILD will air an episode called "Mighty Mississippi" in March. Another National Geographic Channel series called One Strange Rock will air an episode featuring mayflies in late April/early May.

We will update the Mayfly Watch page with the air dates as it gets closer.

Learn more »

Resources for our Refuge Partners

Refuge Dashboards dynamically display data

Our new Refuge Dashboards allow refuge staff, volunteers, and visitors to see immediate results of phenology data collection.

Refuge administrators decide what to display on their Dashboards by selecting from six different types of graphics.

See what Valle de Oro NWR is finding »

Explore other refuges »

USFS Pollinator Garden mini-grants available

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is offering several grants of up to $3,000 to facilitate pollinator garden and community garden activities . Projects can take place on Forest Service lands or other partner public lands.

The application deadline is February 26, 2018. Let us know if you would like a letter of support for your phenology activities!

Learn more »

What's New at USA-NPN

Coming this spring: Pheno Forecast maps!

We are developing forecasts for key pest and invasive species to tell managers when to take action. This year we will provide forecast maps for emerald ash borer, winter moth, lilac borer (aka ash borer), and more.

The forecasts are based on published growing degree day (GDD) thresholds for given life cycle stages associated with management actions. For example, emerald ash borer adults first emerge at 450-550 GDD and should be treated within two weeks before they lay eggs. Our maps will provide a six-day forecast of the locations that are expected to reach this emergence threshold.

These maps will be available on the USA-NPN's Visualization Tool this spring.

Celebrating 10 years of the USA-NPN

This year marks the 10th year of the USA National Phenology Network and data collection with Nature's Notebook. We are celebrating all year long with highlights of various aspects of our 10-year history.

It also means we have 10 years worth of data to explore on species that might be of interest to your Refuge.

Learn more »

Upcoming Events

Celebrate National Cit Sci Day - Apr 14th

April 14th is National Citizen Science Day! This year will mark the third year of this major celebration. Find out about events planned across the country, or learn how to plan your own event.

Learn more »

Stay Connected

	Erin Posthumus US Fish & Wildlife Service Liaison and Outreach Coordinator 520-621-1670 erin@usanpn.org bio
	LoriAnne Barnett Education Coordinator 520-621-1803 lorianne@usanpn.org bio