Seasonal Changes

The Rio Grande Phenology Trail

Did you know? Cottonwood Gulch is now a proud partner of the Rio Grande Phenology Trail! The Rio Grande Phenology Trail (RGPT) is a network of refuges, parks, public gardens, schools, and other educational organizations observing phenology, the seasonal changes of plants and animals, along the Rio Grande from Las Cruces to Santa Fe. It is a collaborative project connecting students, volunteers, and community members to long-term research on the impacts of a changing climate and changing environments on the plants and animals of the Rio Grande watershed.

In the fall of 2022, Marissa Bluestein and Tanner Johnson created a phenology plot at Bachechi Open Space with the hopes of monitoring ten plants for the foreseeable future. Data collected along the RGPT is public and available through the USA National Phenology Network. Using the web-based platform, Nature’s Notebook, we are using phenology data to gather information on the timing of phenophases of Desert willow, Eastern cottonwood and New Mexico honeylocust among other species. This data is used to promote public participation in phenology monitoring and to encourage understanding of plant and animal phenology as well as its relationship with environmental change.

In November of 2022, Marissa and Tanner led a staff training to prepare all full-time Cottonwood Gulch staff to participate in this community science project. The goal is to not only develop a deeper understanding of the land we occupy, but also to introduce our school program participants to hands-on science and place based learning. This kind of experiential education is necessary to help instill a sense of stewardship and curiosity, while creating a feeling of belonging in our community.

Want to volunteer and contribute to this community science project? Reach out to marissa.bluestein@cottonwoodgulch.org