Whether you call it a caravan, camper, or trailer, the mobile home is iconic. Its instant appeal evokes nostalgia and the excitement of being on new ground.
"The Climate Chaser is a classic boundary object because it draws together two different groups of people—environmentalists and camper enthusiasts—and provides a literal platform for dialog and learning."
- Lewis E. Gilbert, former Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota
The Climate Chaser joins people from different communities into a shared conversation and—potentially—collaboration.
Designed to catch the eye of passers-by, the Climate Chaser is the heart of the Backyard Phenology project. It is a versatile, mobile hub where the team connects with communities and together, consider the environment. Its silver surface is emblazoned with whimsical decals of plants and animals, suggesting a focus on the natural world. A nearby sandwich board invites you to enter, ask questions, and share a story.
Enter the Climate Chaser to discover a comfortable space hosted by the Backyard Phenology team. Browse the rotating display of books, art objects, natural history specimens, and other items that invite exploration. Booth seating beckons you to take a seat at the table and join the conversation.
This casual listening station puts a frame around climate, the backyard, and phenology. Conversations typically begin by defining phenology, an area of knowledge focused on the seasonal timing of biological activity of plants and animals. Though the word is new to many, phenology is a familiar idea. It's knowing about the timing of leaves unfolding, flowers opening, birds migrating, insects emerging from and returning to their winter homes, and other seasonal changes.
People inside the Climate Chaser think about phenology together, asking one another, what changes have you noticed lately in your environment? When paying attention to those changes, what kinds of memories, questions or connections come to mind? People inside the Climate Chaser explore many ways of knowing, grapple with change, forge new connections to place, and renew relationships with communities.
"It isn't enough to know what needs to change. You need to understand how you want it to be."
- Climate Chaser guest and interviewee
