Phenology is the study of the response of living organisms to the seasons and climatic changes to the environment in which they live.  Some examples are: bird migration and nesting, mammal mating and whelping, flowering of plants, leafing of trees, ripening of fruit, coloring of leaves, and the relationship of these events to weather and climate.  This definition was taken from the Minnesota Weatherguide Environment Calendar which comes out yearly and is a great resource for monitoring exciting phenological events that happen right in our own backyards, around Battle Creek Elementary, in St. Paul, and in greater Minnesota!!

Who can study phenology?

Anyone can!!  It is a field of study for all people and requires no special training to participate.  It is a fun activity for the whole family and requires only that you step outside and look around (but can also be done from the window of your house)!  The more you observe, the more you learn, and the more you learn, the more you begin to see!! 

About this website section

This section is intended for BCE students, parents, teachers, and staff as an introduction to phenology and natural events occuring at BCE and the surrounding area. Provided are checklists for each season of the year for you to print off, put on your refrigerator or classroom bulletin board, and fill out as you observe the various natural events.  There is also space for you to add in your own natural observations that are not on the list!!  Please remember to include the location of your sighting when appropriate.  At the end of the season,  please submit your completed data (including name/classroom) to Cari Sprague, at BCE, and she will compile the data and give a seasonal phenology update on this section of the website.  To get started, just click on the current season and you are ready to begin!!

About the author

This section was designed by Cari Sprague, BCE occupational therapist, an environmental educator who recently completed her MEd at the University of Minnesota in Environmental Education, and a phenology enthusiast! For comments or questions about this section of the website please contact her at 651-293-8850 or e-mail her at CARISPRAGUE@spps.org.

Resources

There are numerous resources and field guides to help you identify the animals, birds, insects, flowers, and trees you observe.  Click on "animal and plant pictures" for specific pictures related to the season of the year.  Both BCE staff members Cari Sprague and Mary Romoser have numerous field guides if you would like to look something up.  Many of these resources can also be found at your local library or bookstore.  There are also numerous Citizen Monitoring Programs for Minnesota that you, your family, and your students can particpate in.  In addition, there are also many phenolgy related web sites. Click on "resources" for these specific references.  Written information about this website, copies of the checklists, information about several of the Citizen Monitoring Programs of Minnesota, and other phenolgy related websites can be found in a black three-ring binder located in the library at Battle Creek Elementary.