Not to be confused with “phrenology,” the pseudo-science of analyzing a person by feeling the bumps on his head, “phenology” is the science of seasonal biological changes, in relation to climate. Ranger Pam Tripp tells how you can learn to become a “citizen scientist” in this specialty…
Do you love plants? Would you be interested in helping Joshua Tree National Park and its rangers while exploring the desert? Joshua Tree National Park is seeking volunteers to participate in the California Phenology Project, a long-term study designed to understand changes in the growth of desert plants. The term Phenology refers to recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, such as leafing and flowering, emergence of insects, and migration of birds. It is also the study of these recurring life cycle stages, especially their timing and relationships with weather and climate. To date, the California Phenology Project has engaged Park scientists, educators, and visitors in collecting nearly 2 years of continuous phenological data for seven species of plant, across Joshua Tree National Park. Volunteers will monitor selected plants at study sites close to each town in the Morongo Basin. Volunteers must attend a short training and make a monthly commitment to the project. To find out more, please contact Josh Hoines at 760-367-5564. For Z107.7, this is Park Ranger Pam Tripp, encouraging you to experience the American landscape.
