AMC needs your help documenting forest flowering times along mountain trails this spring and summer. We provide the how-to guides and data sheets for you to use on your next hike. New in 2009 we are piloting 6 new forest flower species for Southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
How to monitor:
- Download a pdf field guide and data sheet at the links below. Note that there are different files for Northern New England/NY and the Southern NE/Mid-Atlantic region. You can also request the materials to be mailed to you (Include "Northern Forest Flowers" or "Southern Forest Flowers" as subject line), or obtain a copy at New Hampshire North Country AMC destination.
Northern New England/NY
Northern Forest Flower Guide and data sheets pdf
(6 pages) print double-sided (read this printing hint to keep paper use down)
Southern New England and Mid-Atlantic Southern Forest Flower Guide and data sheet pdf
(6 pages) print double-sided (read this printing hint to keep paper use down)
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Go to any mountain trail above ~ 1,000 feet
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Staying on the trail, locate a targeted forest plant (see field guide)
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Record on data sheet date, detailed location and whether plant is before flowering, flowering, or not flowering
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Go to our
online data entry pages to enter your data or mail the data sheet to AMC. It's that simple!
If you want to be more involved then sign up for our Mountain Watch Adopt-A-Peak monitoring program. You can pick a favorite trail section or peak to monitor 3 times during a year and return to it year after year. This type of monitoring is highly valuable information that provides AMC with consistent information through time.
AMC is a partner with the National Phenology Network and we will be sharing data collected by AMC volunteers with this national program. Targeted species for AMC's forest monitoring include:
North: painted trillium, bunchberry, Canada mayflower, blue-bead lily, wood sorrel, and hobblebush
South: Trout lily, Red trillium, Spring beauty, Bloodroot, Columbine, Mayapple
Hiking to Northeast high peaks? Then check out our
alpine flower monitoring!
