Phenology is the study of the timing of seasonal changes in living things. There is an absence of strong, widely available phenology data for invasive plants in Vermont. Since management and treatment are tied to phenology, and since phenology is shifting with the changing climate, establishing a baseline dataset as well as establishing projects for the ongoing collection of this data is important and timely. The Vermont Invasives Phenology Network is currently leading two phenology monitoring projects, each with a different focus and volunteer involvement levels.
Statewide Invasive plant phenology monitoring project (SIPPMoP)
- How to Get Involved with SIPPMoP?
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This opportunity welcomes anyone who wishes to take part, especially people who are often outside, on the go, and able to recognize some common invasive plants.
If you’d like to be involved, please email us at: anr.fprinvasiveplants@vermont.gov
- When Does SIPPMoP Monitoring Take Place?
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Participants observe invasive plants during the second full week of each month. You can sign up at any point during the year, and can participate as frequently or infrequently as you like; all contributions are appreciated and welcomed.
2024 dates for monthly observation periods:
- April 14-20
- May 12-18
- June 9-15
- July 14-20
- August 11-17
- September 8-14
- October 13-19
- Where Do Participants Monitor?
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Anywhere in Vermont where you can find invasive plants.
- What Do Participants Monitor?
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Participants note and submit any invasive plant phenology spotted during the observation period each month.
- Why Monitor Invasive Plant Phenology?
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It is helpful to know what's going on with invasive plant phenology in Vermont. These data are tabulated each month and included in FPR’s monthly Insect and Disease report. This record of invasive plant phenology reaches land managers, homeowners, and communities across the state, and can be used to inform more immediate treatment planning.
You can also see results from this year's phenology observations by selecting the files below.
Vermont Invasive Plant Phenology Project (VIPPP)
- How to Get Involved With VIPPP?
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If you can contribute regular observations (3+ visits per month), are willing to complete a brief self-paced online training, and live or travel near one of our study area towns, please email us at: anr.fprinvasiveplants@vermont.gov
- When Does VIPPP Monitoring Take Place?
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Monitoring takes place almost every week of the year. Participants observe as part of a team, and can expect to go out several times a month to collect data.
- Where Do Participants Monitor?
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There are currently four specific study areas in Vermont in Burlington, Huntington, Castleton, and Danville.
- What Do Participants Monitor?
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Using Nature's Notebook (online or app), participants observe the phenophases of 3 focal invasive plant species (Lonicera morrowii, Rhamnus cathartica, and Celastrus orbiculatus).
- Why Monitor Invasive Plant Phenology?
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This is a long-term research project with the goal to observe the seasonal changes of invasive plants in Vermont, and provide a baseline for plant changes we expect to see with a changing climate. Collecting this information will provide valuable information for managing state lands, as well as inform how other land stewards, communities and landowners plan, budget, and implement terrestrial invasive plant control efforts.
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation would like to acknowledge the financial and technical support provided by the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry that enables us to run projects and provide outreach such as this.