Many scientists are measuring and studying the reaction of plant and animal species to climate change. Unexpectedly, some researchers use data that backyard naturalists have gathered to study species' populations and migrations. For example,

"The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) monitors the influence of climate on the phenology of plants, animals, and landscapes. We do this by encouraging people to observe phenological events like leaf out, flowering, migrations, and egg laying, and by providing a place for people to enter, store, and share their observations. We also work with researchers to develop tools and techniques to use these observations to support a wide range of decisions made routinely by citizens, managers, scientists and others, including decisions related to allergies, wildfires, water, and conservation."

There are many ways to be a backyard scientist. Participants in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Project Feeder Watch observe and count birds they see in their back yards (see the 2009 Habitat Protection Indicator). If you live near a wetland, you might want to join up with Frogwatch USA and count frogs and toads. Project BudBurst teaches volunteers to record the "first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening of a diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses in their local area." Other organizations count butterflies, measure light pollution in the night sky, and, for divers, marine life.

Check out the many resources below to find neat ways to become a backyard scientist and help experts preserve our natural world.

Submitted by Tom Rounds, San Mateo

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