Phenology is one of the most intuitive concepts to public audiences. Whether it’s strawberry season or allergy season or wildfire season, everyone can connect with nature through the seasons.

Phenology is also one of the strongest and most integrative scientific approaches to understanding climate change.

This engaging and informative lecture series is designed to bridge the gap between science and society by serving as an entry point to the study of phenology and its many links with climate change. Rooted in peer-reviewed scientific literature and aimed at undergraduate students (easily adapted for public audiences), each lecture is annotated with slide-by-slide notes and should last approximately 50 minutes.

Lecture I -- Introduction to Phenology, the Science of the Seasons

       LECTURE SLIDES (pdf - 4.5MB)       |       LECTURE NOTES (pdf)

Includes a climate change crash course that serves as a platform to explore how phenology is studied and the many scales at which it’s studied. Concludes by addressing how phenological research contributes to our understanding of climate change.

Lecture II -- Coordinated Phenology Research Networks: Nuts, Bolts, and Roles

       LECTURE SLIDES (pdf - 4.2MB)       |       LECTURE NOTES (pdf)

A broad introduction to ongoing coordinated phenological research in the U.S., including the USA National Phenology Network and regional efforts connected with it like the California Phenology Project.

Lecture III -- Phenological Responses to Environmental Changes: examples and potential outcomes

       LECTURE SLIDES (pdf - 3MB)       |       LECTURE NOTES (pdf)

Uses a series of peer-reviewed case studies to characterize and interpret some of the phenological changes observed in plants and animals. Highlights current (and recurring) topics addressed by the phenological research community.