Observing Maine’s Changing Climate: Citizen Scientists Learn Rockweed Phenology in Brunswick Workshops

A group of citizen scientists are learning about rockweed phenology along the coast in Brunswick with the help of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant. The two organizations are hosting a series of in-person workshops for individuals interested in participating in the Signs of the Seasons citizen science project. The first training is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick, with additional workshops taking place throughout April and May in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden, and Boothbay.

During these workshops, participants will learn how to make scientific observations of phenology – which is the study of cyclic and seasonal changes of plants and animals – by practicing observation techniques and leaving with tools to set up their own observation sites to record changes in phenology. The Signs of the Seasons project aims to recruit volunteers to identify and record changes in over 20 different indicator species like rockweed, milkweed, loons, butterflies, and lilacs that are crucial for understanding Maine’s changing climate.

The data collected by volunteers helps create a detailed record of the region’s seasonal changes that can be used by collaborating scientists and resource managers. Registration for these workshops is free on the program website but is required prior to attending. For more information or to request reasonable accommodations contact Keri Kaczor at keri.kaczor@maine.edu or Beth Bisson at beth