Sections

Join us at Botany 2026 in Tucson!
Thu, Jul 09, 2026
Are you attending the Botany Meeting in Tucson this August 1-5? We'll see you there!
Visit our booth in the exhibit hall
Evening of Sunday, Aug 2 - Wednesday, Aug 5
Booth 402 in the Arizona Grand Ballroom

Observer Profile: The Art of Phenology - Chris Peters’ Nature’s Notebook Observation Journey
Wed, Jun 17, 2026
In this Observer Story written by UCLA student Amanda Lyons, we learn about Nature's Notebook observer Chris Peters. Chris is a photographer and observer with The Bloomingdale Trail in Chicago.

Weather impacts autumn phenology differently in the eastern and western U.S.
Mon, May 04, 2026
The timing of phenological events in autumn like leaf color and leaf fall have important consequences for nutrient cycling, species interactions, and even tourism. However, there has been less research on autumn phenology than spring phenology and the effects of temperature, precipitation, and day length are not well understood. To fill this gap, researchers used Nature’s Notebook observations of autumn phenology from woody plant species across the U.S. They found strong regional differences. Leaf color in the eastern U.S. was driven primary by summer temperatures, whereas in the western U.S., leaf color change was influenced more strongly by precipitation that occurred more than six months prior. Given these differences, the effects of climate change are likely to be complex. Increased temperatures may extend the growing season for some plants and increased drought may shorten the growing season for others.