 What is
phenology? It is the study of the timing of natural events –
recording the dates of significant moments in nature, such as when
migrating birds return, lakes freeze and thaw, flowers bloom, sap
begins flowing, wild rice ripens, etc.
Why is phenology important?
Phenology not only helps us understand the interaction between
wildlife, vegetation, and the surrounding environment, it can help
identify any significant changes that occur over time and help
assess the impacts of climate change. For example, raccoons, some
bird species, wood ticks, poison ivy and other plants and animals
are now being found further north than ever before!
 Phenology at
Fond du Lac… The Fond du Lac Ojibwe School 2009-2010 5th Grade
class is conducting their own phenology project throughout the
school year with the help of their teachers and the Environmental
Education Outreach Coordinator for the Fond du Lac Environmental
Program. This project began in January of the 2007-2008 school year
and was done for two years with the third grade class.
Students have picked a special spot
of their own within a specified section of the nature trail. They
will return to their same chosen spot each week and record their
observations (using all senses…except taste of course, unless
approved by a staff member). Students can write poems, lists, create
drawings, whatever they feel like! They have also come up with
symbols to represent weather conditions and describe the temperature
in terms of how it feels outside as well as giving the actual
numeric value.
Check back each month to read about
their new discoveries and observations!
November 2009 Phenology
December 2009 Phenology
January 2010 Phenology
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd
Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Fond du Lac Environmental Program
1720 Big Lake Road
Cloquet, MN 55720
Phone: (218) 878-7123
Email
Link
<back
to RM main> <back to FDL main> |
