Over the past decade, the field of phenology has made substantial advancements to identify the drivers and patterns of of phenological variation, and to provide tools and resources for conservation. The USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN; www.usanpn.org) was established to serve science and society by promoting a broad understanding of plant and animal phenology and the relationships among phenological patterns, climate, and environmental change. Data collected by citizen and professional scientists through Nature’s Notebook -- a national-scale, multi-taxa phenology observation program -- serve USA-NPN strategic goals of advancing science and informing decisions. Since 2009 over 13,000 Nature’s Notebook participants have contributed over 15 million observation records of plants and animals across the United States to the National Phenology Database. The USA-NPN has collaborated with a broad community of scientists and stakeholders to prioritize, develop and deliver high quality and high impact data and products.
Results/Conclusions
These phenology data and resultant products are being used in a rapidly growing number of applications for science, conservation and resource management, including over 50 peer-reviewed publications to date. Here we describe recent advances in the production and delivery of phenology data products derived from in-situ organismal data, and the integration of a broad array of continental scale phenology datasets. We will also share new approaches to phenology forecasting through the delivery of maps that communicate the timing of spring and activity of insect pests and invasive plants. We highlight how data are being used for a variety of applications, from predictive phenological model development to validation of remote sensing products. The USA-NPN invites researchers and partners to continue to explore these data and collaborate with the network to address a wide range of science questions and management needs.