Chicago Botanic Garden - Carillon Press Release

Spring Blooms Tell a Story

Chicago Botanic Garden Launches National Citizen Gardener Effort
to Determine Impact of Climate Change on Plants

GLENCOE, Ill. (April 6, 2007) – The Chicago Botanic Garden has launched “Project Bud Burst,” a multi-year national project to determine the impact of climate change on plants.

The project seeks citizen gardeners from across the United States to participate by monitoring when native plants leaf and flower. The first phase of the project began April 1,2007, and concludes at the end of June.

“We are asking people to take a walk, spend some time outside and gather data. Explore public lands, such as the McDonald Woods at the Garden, or a nearby favorite park, or your own back yard to look for easy-to-find native blooms,” said Dr. Kayri Havens, director of the Institute for Plant Conservation at the Chicago Botanic Garden. “Pick out the plants and trees that you want to observe and record the first time you see them leaf or flower. Over the next three months, record when leaves are fully expanded or flowers bloom,” she said.

Citizen gardeners can sign up to participate through the Project Budburst Web site at www.budburst.org and learn about native species, how to document observations, and see photos of targeted plants to look for.

“By recording the timing of leafing and flowering of native species we can learn more about the prevailing characteristics of local climates. In turn, we will be better able to predict the long-term effect of climate change on plants,” said Havens.

Havens points out that the gathering of data is part of a larger phenology research study thataims to contribute to and impact the areas of human health, agriculture, natural resources, tourism and education. The long-term result of this research will help doctors to better time and predict the onset of the allergy and asthma season; inform tourists when and where to go to observe bird migration, wildflower displays and fall color; predict forest pest and disease outbreaks and aid in invasive species management.

Project Budburst is a collaborative effort of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Plant Conservation Alliance, ESRI, National Science Foundation, National Phenology Network, UCAR Office of Education and Outreach, University of Arizona, University of Montana, University of California- Santa Barbara, University of Wisconsin- Madison and Windows to the Universe. Project Budburst is funded by the National Science Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management and the Plant Conservation Alliance.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden’s newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. Through the Institutes of Plant Conservation and Ornamental Plant Research, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.