UMaine Extension offers ‘Signs of the Seasons’ training
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer multiple training sessions to those interested in identifying and recording seasonal changes in their communities in support of understanding Maine’s changing climate.
Volunteers of all ages are invited to become citizen scientists through trainings offered around the state between now and the end of June. New this year, a subset of trainings will focus on observing loons, as well as 18 other indicator species.
“Signs of the Seasons” will be available 6–8 p.m. March 24 at Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth; 4–6:30 p.m. April 7 at Audubon Gilsland Farm, Falmouth; and 9:30 a.m.–noon April 28 at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay.
Additional training dates and locations are being scheduled.
Trainings with an emphasis on loon populations will be offered in partnership with Maine Audubon as follows:
- 4–6:30 p.m. April 11, UMaine Extension Knox-Lincoln office, Waldoboro
- 4–6:30 p.m. May 23, Lakes Environmental Association, Bridgton
- 4–6:30 p.m. May 25, Central Maine Community College, Auburn; hosted by Stanton Bird Club
- 4:30–7 p.m. June 8, UMaine Extension Hancock office, Ellsworth
- 4–6:30 p.m. June 29, Maine Lakes Resource Center, Belgrade
“Signs of the Seasons” is a 6-year-old University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Sea Grant program that looks at phenology, the study of seasonal changes, which can help illuminate the local effects of a changing climate.
In hands-on training, participants will learn how to identify and record changes in plants and animals found in their own backyards, schoolyards and other favorite outdoor locations. Information collected by participants contribute to an online database hosted by the National Phenology Network.
All trainings are free; registration is required and available online. For more information or to request a disability accommodation, contact Pam Doherty at 832.0343, pamela.doherty@maine.edu.