February 2016
What Will You Do for Leap Year?
Bleeding Heart
Photo courtesy of iStock 
This is a leap year giving us an extra day in February. Wondering how to spend that 'bonus' day? In the warmer parts of the country, it is probably not too early to start making observations of your plants. In the colder regions, you could peruse the Project BudBurst website and make plans for your 2016 observations. Maybe this year is a good one to add another plant to your monitoring moments. However you decide to spend your leap year day, please know how appreciative we are of this wonderful community of plant watchers you have built.
 
             --Sandra Henderson, Director
 
Spend the extra day 
Indulging in some plant plans    
Celebrate leap year 
Last Chance to Register for Winter Term is February 5
If you are looking for a professional development course to help integrate Project BudBurst and other citizen science projects into your instruction, check out our current offerings. We still have a few spaces left, but act quickly! All of our online courses are eligible for optional graduate-level continuing education credit from the Colorado School of Mines.

Registration is open for February and April courses.

Register at www.citizenscienceacademy.org/courses 
Questions? Email: [email protected] 
Cherry Blossom Blitz Is Around the Corner!
Cherry Blossom Blitz image
Celebrate spring with our annual Cherry Blossom Blitz from March 1 - April 30! Although we target March and April as being prime cherry viewing months, you can submit your observations of cherry blossoms anytime. If the cherry trees in your area have already begun to bloom, you don't have to wait for Cherry Blossom Blitz to start, submit your observations now! Learn how you can participate on our website

We Appreciate All Your Observations
We received an astounding number of 2015 observations. A big thank you to everyone who submitted their data!

Still have observations to submit? Don't fret! We're always happy to add your past observations, whether they're from 2015 or 2007, to our database. Find out how to enter your past observations

The Many Faces of Project BudBurst
New England aster first ripe fruit
Photo by Tom Kirby
Project BudBurst would not exist without the enthusiasm and dedication of the thousands of participants and supporters. Below are just a few folks we'd like to recognize this month:

Ken L.
Tom K.
Sienna H.
Fernando B.

Nature's Calendar
Yucca in the desert
Photo by Sienna Hiebert 
February is a month when plants are inactive in many parts of the country. But if you are lucky enough to live in or be traveling to warmer regions of the country, you will likely find a few plants that are active. Below are a few to watch for:
Get Started with Project BudBurst Now
Photo by Fernando Begay