 The first two Plant Watch trainings for citizen scientists took place at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) on April 9th and at the Seacoast Science Center on May 13th.
Offering participants enlisted through the Northeast Science Center Collaborative and NYBG an opportunity to learn about the "phenophases" that indicate a plant's spring development and how to record them, the trainings are part of a partnership between NYBG, Clean Air - Cool Planet, and the National Phenological Network (NPN).
At the New York training, led by professional staff from the Garden, the 20 participants toured a preselected set of 22 species of trees that have been under study in the NYBG's phonological program over the last five years. Observations were made on the phases from buds to mature leaves, including the appearance of reproductive parts, and flowering.
In Rye, NH, NYBG staff Christina Colon and Daniel Avery were joined by Ellen Denny from the Northeast Regional Phenology Network, and looked at a selection of tree species on the grounds of Odiorne State Park.
Keeping track of the timing of such events in prevalent species in the region has played a part in understanding how climate is changing, noted Northeast Science Center Collaborative Manager Karin Jakubowski, who helped coordinate the joint training. Eleven of those at the training were from science centers in Connecticut.
"We hope that by establishing a network of trained citizen scientists throughout the region, who can make observations on plants and record timing and location of various stages of development in these important species, we can aid the work of climate scientists and others for whom this data is important," she said.
Eventually, Plant Watch participants will be able to post their observations to the National Phenology Network database, and see the results of data displayed on GIS maps as well as data tables. NPN, NYBG, and other groups are developing protocols for use by citizen scientists in order to help insure the consistency of data.
Species observed at the trainings included three types of maple, three types of oak, three types of hickory, as well as black birch, American beech, black cherry, and white ash. Less well known species observed were Devil's Walking Stick; Sweetgum; Spicebush; Sassafras; Tulip Tree; Corktree; and Tree of Heaven.
Future trainings are being planned for Maine and Vermont. Look for more information on the Northeast Science Center Collaborative website, or email Bill Burtis (bburtis@cleanair-coolplanet.org), manager of communications and special projects at CA-CP.
 CA-CP's Campus Coordinator Anne Stephenson will be a featured blogger on the website of the Chronicle of Higher Education during June. She will be expressing her views on carbon management for campuses, a topic that marries her graduate school experiences teaching architecture classes and her present work with college campuses at Clean Air-Cool Planet.
"Campus architecture includes not only the buildings, but the spaces between buildings, adding to the environmental challenges they face. Carbon management programs on a campus can be more complex than those implemented by businesses," said Anne. "Campuses are more like cities in terms of emissions, since they bring together residential and classroom buildings, transportation issues and diverse populations." Colleges and universities are researching and tackling some very complex emissions calculation issues, she added.
Stephenson recently completed her accreditation as a green building consultant (LEED AP), and her doctorate in architectural history. Her doctoral research focused on local, state, and federal policies promoting energy efficient and historically sensitive renovations. Anne's work with the University of Chicago's Sustainability Council catalyzed an interest in the efficiency and emissions challenges of college campuses in particular.
You can read the blog starting next week at the Chronicle's website.
With support from the Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Clean Air-Cool Planet has added Climate Fellows to its staff to work on various projects in the community, science center, business, and campus programs. The summer fellowships were open to Master's-level graduate students interested in practical experience related to climate change solutions.
In the community program, the Climate Fellow will study the CA-CP Community Toolkit and write case studies highlighting successful community action. For the Science Center Collaborative, the Climate Fellow will review and revise the curriculum materials in the Climate Change backpacks. For campuses, the fellowship involves work on the Online Climate Action Toolkit and Campus Carbon Calculator. Other summer projects include a greenhouse gas inventory for the City of Providence, RI, and an analysis of renewable energy options for Poland Springs, one of CA-CP's partner companies in Maine.
The Climate Fellows will meet in the CA-CP corporate offices on June 4 for an orientation session, and will begin work on their projects this week.
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CA-CP's corporate partners are continuing to lead the way in lowering greenhouse gas emissions through conservation and renewable energy options. Working with Clean Air-Cool Planet, Lindblad Expeditions launched a Climate Change Action Plan to reduce its own carbon footprint while encouraging others to "join the conversation" on global warming. Read more...
On April 10, 2008, Oakhurst Dairy announced that it would be installing one of the largest solar power energy systems in New England --2,700 square feet of panels -- at its headquarters in Portland, Maine, to heat water for the milk facility. Oakhurst Dairy now powers its entire fleet with biodiesel. Read more about Oakhurst...
 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Colby College the 2007-08 Individual Conference Champion for purchasing more green power than any other school in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). EPA has been tracking green power purchasing among collegiate athletic conferences through its College & University Green Power Challenge, which concluded April 28 with 40 schools and 18 conferences participating nationwide. Read more about Colby's award...
The Brookings Institution released a report on its study of carbon emissions for residents of the top 100 metropolitan areas in the U.S. According to the results, top emitters are those cities with few transportation (mass transit) options. The top producer of carbon emissions in the cities studied was the metropolitan Lexington-Fayette region in Kentucky.
CA-CP's Corporate Program Manager Christa Koehler urges people not to consider this data a comprehensive measure of city emissions. "It does not take into consideration CO2 output from waste, commercial building and industrial emissions or non-highway transportation," she said. "Also, it includes emissions based only on the municipality in question. A place like Los Angeles has a lot of commuters that come into Los Angeles from surrounding counties contributing to highway and local road congestion problems and creating emissions it did not consider." Read more about the Brookings study...
Encyclopedia of Earth adds Nobel-prize Winning Reports to Climate Change Collection
WASHINGTON, DC, MAY 27, 2008. - The world's most respected scientific reports about climate change are now available through the Encyclopedia of Earth (EoE), an online resource designed to make authoritative information about the environment widely available and easily accessible. Read more about EoE...
Now you can give a gift to a friend or loved one, and let your recipient decide which organization will benefit from the donated funds. The unique new gift card program, called "On Your Behalf," was established by the Clif Bar Family Foundation to support a number of environmental and social action partners focused on the larger community. The partners cover a wide range of issues, from land conservation to food programs. Read more on the Clif Bar Family Foundation's website.
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Chances are, you have a check on the way from Uncle Sam within the next few weeks - and no shortage of things to spend it on. But before you spring for that upgraded mp3 player, new pair of shoes or (gulp!) tank of gas, please consider making a donation to Clean Air-Cool Planet. No matter what the amount, your gift will reap big dividends in the form of a healthy climate and a sustainable future. We don't think you'll find a better return on investment anywhere else! Click here to donate now!
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