Arquivos de periódicos de julho 2022

05 de julho de 2022

Science Knows No Bounds

Welcome to July everyone! We are officially in the thick of summer. I hope you all are staying cool and catching some rays outside. This week, I wanted to highlight the official boundaries of our project.

The New England Trail Nature Watch encompasses the New England Trail Corridor. But what makes up that corridor? Well, it's a bit complicated. When designing this research project, the Appalachian Mountain Club sought to maximize participation while also allowing for accuracy. We are using the New England Trail as a natural transect, or line which is used in ecology to allow for systematic sampling of an area. By measuring along the trail, we can more easily understand how the surrounding region is changing with climate change. Even though the trail is not a perfectly straight line, its extension through 2 states over 215 miles provides a great representation of the ecology of Southern New England.

Now, to the corridor. We decided that a natural buffer in the form of watersheds would be a suitable approach. The AMC landed on HUC10 watersheds, as defined by the USGS here. The resulting buffer is a corridor extending 15-20 miles on either side of the trail. The corridor encompasses over 1 million acres of land, open spaces and conservations areas. To visualize this, you can see the iNaturalist Places by state: Massachusetts here and Connecticut here.

Our hope is that this watershed based boundary allows for you all to explore both on and off the trail. I appreciate all observations you submit and can't wait to see what else you all find this summer! Happy observing!

Posted on 05 de julho de 2022, 07:04 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

11 de julho de 2022

Fruiting Frenzy (& Looking for Curators!)

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to see our project grow week by week. It's amazing to know that this can truly be a tool for science far into the future. This week, I just have a few updates.

1.) The New England Trail is hosting its very own BioBlitz! Called "Fruiting Frenzy" for the most common phenophase right now, we will be hosting and promoting the event July 17th - July 31st. Some of the goals of this BioBlitz are to increase project membership (I'm really hoping for 50 members by August!), promote awareness of the project and boost observations. First and foremost however, our goal is to have fun! As a tip this is a great activity for all ages - children can learn about the plants or animals around them (not just on the trail), and grown ups can help contribute to research on climate change.

This event is also not without rewards: the 3 project members who submit the most observations during the period will receive exclusive New England Trail merchandise. I'll message the winners through iNaturalist on August 1st to let you know. I wish you all the best of luck and keep and eye out for updates as the event gets closer!

2.) We are looking for curators for this project. As I finish my internship term, I will be decreasing my curation time and am looking for some help. Curators are responsible for adding target species (found in our Project List) to the project. They will also be filling out phenology observation fields. The task is simple - I've done over 3000 for this project already - but can take some time. We also provide full, detailed training and you will be able to say you are an AMC volunteer! This is a great opportunity for those looking to contribute to conservation from the comfort of your own home. There is no set time commitment, so whenever you are available you can curate.

If anyone is interested in becoming an AMC volunteer curator for this project please send me a message so I can promote you and send over training. Thank you!

Posted on 11 de julho de 2022, 06:44 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

18 de julho de 2022

The Blitz is On!

Hello All! Happy BioBlitz time - the Fruiting Frenzy has officially started! From July 17-31, the New England National Scenic Trail will be hosting a BioBlitz event. We encourage project members old and new to go out into the NET corridor (seen here for MA and here for CT ) and submit as many observations as possible! This event is intended to increase our data used for the AMC's climate research, as well as encourage new members to join.

The members with the top 3 observations submitted during the period will receive NET merchandise including an NET patch, Map & Guide, and Northeast plant ID guide. I really hope to see you all out there!

If you have any questions about the Bioblitz, shoot me a message. Good luck and happy observing!

Posted on 18 de julho de 2022, 12:43 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

24 de julho de 2022

Blitz Tip: Early Mornings, Late Nights

Hello all! We are officially halfway through our Fruiting Frenzy BioBlitz, running from July 17-31. It’s awesome to see how many great observations we’ve already added. As a reminder, the project members with the top 3 most observations submitted during the event period will receive exclusive NET merchandise, including patches, a map and guide, and a plant ID book.

Over the next week I’ll be posting a few tips that can help make participating in this wicked heat wave a little easier. Outside of gear preparedness (plenty of water, food, and shade), I encourage you to head outside either in the morning or afternoon. At these times the heat won’t be so intense, and you’ll be able to spot some crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk) wildlife! A total win-win in my opinion.

An invigorating hike or walk outside, no matter how short can be a great way to start or end your day. Stay cool everybody and happy observing!

Posted on 24 de julho de 2022, 01:35 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

27 de julho de 2022

Blitz Tip: Just Through the Looking Glass

Happy Wednesday everybody! I'm so glad the heat wave has broken, and I'm antsy to head outside. But if you're still reeling from the heat, or want to keep cool in the AC, no worries! You can participate in our BioBlitz from the comfort of your home.

Observing wildlife from your window is a great pastime, and can contribute to science - just ask the Great Backyard Bird Count! If you can snap a photo of any birds, squirrels, deer, etc. in your yard, you can absolutely add that to our project. The New England Trail Nature Watch is first and foremost a biodiversity survey. Any wild organism can contribute to our research.

So, with 5 days left in our BioBlitz, take a look out your window and see what you can hear or find! Happy observing!

As a reminder, the project members with the top 3 most observations submitted during the event period will receive exclusive merchandise in the form of a NET patch, Map and Guide, and Plant ID Guide.

Posted on 27 de julho de 2022, 04:11 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

29 de julho de 2022

Blitz Tip: Anything and Everything

Happy Friday! The weekend is officially here! We have 2 more days left in our Fruiting Frenzy BioBlitz, so take advantage of this great weekend weather and head out to the trail, your local park, or anywhere in between.

In this tip, I want to remind you that you can submit any wild organism or living thing to this project. The New England Trail Nature Watch was made with the goal of increasing the practice of community science along the NET. Our current research question is studying plant phenology (the seasonal timing of flowering/fruiting), but that may change in the future. We hope that your data can prepare us for any questions we have.

So as we enter the weekend, snap photos of anything cool! From newts and nematodes to poison ivy and primroses, any wild organism can be contributed. If you happen to observe a plant, try out filling the observation fields! While optional, completing them would help us greatly in our research. Descriptions for each question is provided when you click on them. Happy observing!

As a reminder, the 3 project members with the top numbers of observations will receive exclusive NET merchandise in the form of an NET patch, NET Map & Guide with great hike recommendations, and Newcomb's Plant ID Guide.

Posted on 29 de julho de 2022, 04:56 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

30 de julho de 2022

Blitz Tip: Weekend Warriors

Hello and welcome to the weekend! With beautiful weather anticipated through today and tomorrow, this is a perfect opportunity to participate in our Fruiting Frenzy BioBlitz!

Any observations you take in the Connecticut River Valley (aka central CT and MA) can be added to our project, and make you eligible for prizes. If you happen to observe a plant, take a shot at filling out the observation fields! They aid us greatly in our research. Keep and eye out for things big and small (most of our target species are no bigger than your hand). Thank you all for participating and happy observing!

As a reminder, the project members who submit the top 3 most observations will receive gear including a NET patch, NET Map and Guide, and Newcomb's Plant ID Guide.

Posted on 30 de julho de 2022, 07:34 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário

31 de julho de 2022

The Final Countdown

Hello all! Today is the last day of the New England Trail Nature Watch BioBlitz. Until Midnight tonight, you can submit any observations taken in the past two weeks, in the project area! You can add old observations, or even just plant pictures from your phone - everything counts.

If you haven't already joined the project, please do so! Members with the top 3 most observations will receive NET merchandise.

3rd Place: A New England Trail Patch and Connecticut Forest and Park Association Sticker
2nd Place: A NET Patch, and NET Map and Guide to the best hikes in the CT River Valley
1st Place: A NET Patch, NET Map and Guide, and Newcomb's Wildflower Plant ID Guide (the best in the business)

If you're interested in contributing to our climate research as well as the prizes, consider submitting an observation!

Thank you so much to those of you who have been participating these past weeks. Your observations are what make our work possible. Happy Sunday everyone and happy observing!

Posted on 31 de julho de 2022, 07:18 PM by grace_piselli grace_piselli | 0 comentários | Deixar um comentário