Large-scale data collection is an important aspect of understanding our enivornment and the patterns of change both seasonally and throughout history. However, analyzing the biosphere of communities all over the country, let alone the world, is both time-consuming and expensive. Similarly to the BioBlitz we experienced early this year, Project BudBurst (http://budburst.org/) aims to change the nature of data collection by recruiting volunteers from all 50 states to track seasonal changes in the plant species of their communities. The project partners with a number of organizations, including the National Park Service, National Geographic, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in order to maintain this initiative.

The aim of this project is to gain as much information as possible about national effects of climate change on various species. The data about plant phenophases is collected by the organization and made public through published reports. In addition to the data produced through this project, Project BudBurst also aims to educate the public about the importance of phenology in understanding changing environments. The group describes plants as the base of the food chain, which makes them the staple of any environment and a good way to measure changes in the entire biosphere of an area, since anything that affects plants generally affects all other areas of the related ecosystems. One major type of change that can be seen through the study of phenology is human impact on both small-scale and large-scale environments.  Project BudBurst gives people a way to personally connect to their surrounding natural environment and view first-hand the impact their community has through human activity. Hopefully, this type of national citizen engagement with the environment will lead to greater care and protection of our remaining natural spaces.