Community Science at Hoyt Arboretum: Introduction to Project BudBurst

Are you interested in learning about community science at Hoyt Arboretum? Join Hoyt Arboretum’s plant taxonomist and herbarium curator Mandy Tu for an online Zoom workshop on Thursday, February 18 from 10 to 11am to learn about how you can get involved with Project BudBurst, a nationwide, community science-driven effort to study the impact of climate change on plants. Volunteers monitor the timing of specific events in a plant’s life cycle (full bloom, fruiting, leaf fall, etc.), record their observations, and then share their data with Project BudBurst.

At the workshop, you will learn about plant structures and phenology as well as how scientists are using the data collected by Project BudBurst community scientists. You’ll also learn about the specific plant species we’re studying at the Arboretum and how to record observations in Hoyt’s BudBurst group. Individuals can participate in Project BudBurst independently but are encouraged to visit Hoyt Arboretum at least every other week during the growing season (approximately March through November) to make and record observations.

Project BudBurst is a great opportunity for individuals interested in community science and volunteering outdoors with a flexible schedule. Volunteers will need Internet access on a personal device (smartphone, tablet, computer) to record their observations online at budburst.org.

Questions? Please contact Becky at volunteer@hoytarboretum.org.