Backyard Phenology is a participatory art and science project for people to share stories and forge new connections to place.

The project fosters an ongoing multilogue about the ecosystems we inhabit; and how we understand those ecosystems through art, science, and culture. Dip into the conversation by browsing documentation on Backyard Phenology's objects, events, ephemera, and audio recordings.

Objects

Climate Chaser

Whether you call it a caravan, camper, or trailer, the mobile home is iconic and common to many cultures. But it carries different associations for folks in different walks of life. As such, it is a boundary object, something that joins people from different communities into a shared conversation and—potentially—collaboration.

A streamlined mobile trailer looks unused, parked by a garage

An illustration of the Climate Chaser, parked outdoors with signage inviting people to step inside

Nine people in a group photo with the Climate Chaser behind them

Two people talking and recording their voices in the booth-like studio inside the Climate Chaser

In the summer of 2023, the BYP team refurbished and enhanced Climate Chaser in preparation for a fall exhibit at Regis Center for Art (September 12-December 9, 2023). New features include sound design by Brian Heller and upholstery by Olli Johnson using fabrics designed by Steve Premo.

Silver camper in a gallery space, the door is open and interior lights welcome visitors

Two smiling people are seated within the Climage Chaser camper

Camper interiorwith cushioned seating around a table and objects to interact with

View from the camper's door, looking in at seating, cabinets, string lighting, and a library of objects

Within the Climate Chaser, art by Chotsani Elaine Dean is on view. Open the lidded box and gently flip through this small archive of plant seeds in paper packets, each with a handwritten catalogue of its contents.

Box containing small paper envelopes, handwriting describes what seeds are contained

Rectangular, white paper envelope with handwritten list of kinds of seeds contained

A paper envelope with an intricate geometric pattern made from black and white cut paper

Box containing paper envelopes, three of which have strongly contrasting designs made with cutout paper

Ephemera

Perennial journal

More than a handy place to keep notes, a journal helps us remember how it feels to notice. Perhaps, a slight buffer from the daily rush, a shuffle in the flow of time. A phenology journal is for jotting down what you see (or hear) in your backyard, from one day to the next. When will that oak out my window green up? When will a robin's song herald this year's spring?

Small paper booklet opened on a desk. Paperclips and earbuds nearby

When small events like these are recorded from year to year and brought together in a big picture, we see clear evidence that climate change affects plant and animal life cycles.

Keeping records (or data, if you will) about the timing of nature's cycles is key for understanding the dangers of climate change. This is why phenology is important.

Phenology's definition can feel difficult to grasp (also, see What phenology is not). Luckily, examples of phenology are intuitive. The journal provides examples that not only demystify the word, but also invite participation.

People doing phenology study the timing of things like birds singing, caterpillars growing, and flowers opening. You might ask, "How is that science? Isn't that just "what's happening"?

Pair of binoculars and a pen rest on an open notebook, the pages have writing and a drawing of a bird

A page of a field notebook has a colored illustration of a caterpillar on a leaf, with hand-written notes

Hand-written notes show species names on the left, in rows, with columns for oberservations.

Climate change threatens organisms, their interdependencies, biological communities, ecosystems, and whole-earth systems. Shifts, ruptures and losses are already happening. Phenology is a way to understand these risks through science. At the same time, phenology also offers ways to develop a sense of place, nurture community, and act in solidarity with others.

The perennial journal is designed to let everyone participate in phenology. Its pages invite you to imagine your own backyard, picture seasonal changes you expect to see, then capture your observations in notes. Observers can use one journal for multiple years, sparking curiosity about change through time.

Photo: Botanical notebook of Walter Deane, retrieved from the Biodiversity Heritage Library

Calendar layout for the month of January showing a line for every day of the month

A paper notebook with a pencil. The cover is brown with writing and images in red and blue.

A paper notebook sits on a desk near microphones and headphones.

Events

Reframing Our Relations: A Community Meal and Conversation

October 2, 2022 at Franconia Sculpture Park

The Backyard Phenology collective designed this event to explore complicated narratives around invasive species, also referred to as non-local beings.

Hand-written script reads "You're Invited" and is embellished with branches of leaves in fall colors

Hand-lettered invitation with details about a meal being hosted

A colorful table setting with glasses, plates, napkins, and a vase of flowers

Four photos showing a hedge of sumac, sumac fruits in a strainer, a beverage being made on the stovetop, and a pitcher full of orange-pink liquid

A plate full with green salad, rye bread, cheeses and fruits

People in conversation around a dinner table outdoors, with bright sunshine

A slice of pie with dark berries, a crumbly crust and whipped cream on a white china plate

An expansive field of grass with five figures walking toward distant trees and vegetation.

Small pieces of paper tied to a tree branch with red leaves

BioQuest

September 25, 2021 at Franconia Sculpture Park

BioQuest was envisioned to connect ecology, land stewardship, and the arts, a major thread of Franconia Sculpture Park's mission. The day's activities were the collaborative work of artists, scientists, students, naturalists, public historians, sculpture park staff, and the public.

Black silhouettes on white background, illustrations of plants, animals and fungi

BioQuest was a playful program that encouraged visitors to pay attention to the plants and animals living amid Franconia’s sculptures. Guests of all ages used their smartphones to photograph plants, insects, birds, mammals, fungi, and other living beings. iNaturalist was used as a simple way to generate a collaborative map of Franconia’s biodiversity.

Program flyer (PDF)

The Noun Project icons: hands holding smartphone by Atif Arshad, Sound by Gregor Cresnar, Spider by Amy King, Bird by MD RIDUWAN MOLLA, Leaf by Baboon designs, Snake by Niké Jenny Bruinsma, Snail by Shaun Lee, Insect by Ragal Kartidev, Cane toad by Abby, marmot standing by Philipp Lehmann, Mushroom by Amethyst Studio, Ant by Jule & Matthias Steffen, and Butterfly by Oliver Kittler, and Butterfly by Vladimir Belochkin