A group of aspiring citizen scientists are learning about phenology along the coast in Brunswick in a photo courtesy of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant are hosting a series of hands-on workshops for individuals interested in participating in the Signs of the Seasons citizen science project. The first training session is set for Thursday, April 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick, with additional sessions taking place in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden, and Boothbay throughout April and May. A detailed schedule can be found on the Signs of the Seasons webpage, and a 3-part webinar series is also available for those who cannot attend in person.

During 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 establish their own observation site to record changes in phenology. Signs of the Seasons is a statewide initiative aimed at recruiting volunteers to identify and document changes in over 20 different indicator species such as rockweed, milkweed, loons, butterflies, and lilacs. These data points are critical for understanding Maine’s changing climate.

The workshops are free but require registration on the program’s website. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations, please contact Keri Kaczor at keri.kaczor@maine.edu or Beth Bisson at beth.bisson@maine