What is Phenology? 

It is the science of the timing of life phases of living organisms. For example  when a plant flowers, leafs out or fruits. Or when a bird decides to migrate, breed or lay eggs. Seasonal temperature and climate changes can affect when plants flower, leaf, and fruit which can have big impacts on the wildlife that depend on them. People all over the world have been tracking these parameters for hundreds of years, let's add to it! Gathering this information will assist us in making future decisions in the forest. For example we can use this information to identify gaps in plant bloom times in our restoration areas (which could affect pollinators such as bees). Using this information, we could then plant native species that will bloom during those time periods ensuring the pollinators have plenty to subsist on! For more information please visit: www.usanpn.org/about/why-phenology 
​Or watch this short video explanation: https://youtu.be/OHY-c_RDMkM

Red flowering currant is among our earliest bloomers!