Exploring the Seasons: Maine Sea Grant and UMaine Extension Host Citizen Science Workshops

Maine Sea Grant and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be hosting a series of in-person workshops for those interested in taking part in the Signs of the Seasons citizen science project. The first training session is set for Thursday, April 4th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Stimpson’s Point in Brunswick. Further workshops will be held in Falmouth, Wells, Augusta, Camden, and Boothbay throughout April and May. A comprehensive schedule of workshops can be found on the Signs of the Seasons website. In addition to the in-person workshops, a 3-part webinar series is available for those unable to attend in person.

During the workshops, participants will learn how to conduct scientific observations of phenology, which is the study of cyclic and seasonal changes in plants and animals. They will practice making observations and receive the necessary tools and knowledge to establish their own observation site to record changes in phenology. Signs of the Seasons aims to enlist volunteers to identify and document changes in over 20 different indicator species, including rockweed, milkweed, loons, butterflies, and lilacs. These observations are critical for understanding Maine’s changing climate.

The data collected by volunteers participating in Signs of the Seasons is used to create a detailed record of seasonal changes in the region. This information is made available to collaborating scientists and resource managers for further analysis. The workshops are free to attend; however, registration on the program website is required. For more information or to request reasonable accommodation, contact Keri Kaczor at keri