Spring Flowers Will Soon Be Blooming –

 It’s Time to PlantWatch!

PlantWatch Saskatchewan, delivered through Nature Saskatchewan, is looking for volunteer plantwatchers to watch select plants bloom in the spring.  While enjoying the great outdoors, all you have to do as a plantwatcher is find one (or more) of the selected 18 native plants or 2 non-native plants in your area, watch and record the first bloom, and submit the results.  Even one observation of one plant is a great contribution! The data collected over time is used to monitor how plants are responding to changes in our climate, where the changes are taking place, and at what rate these changes are occurring.  Scientists believe that climate change is affecting blooming times across Canada, and that this trend will continue.

PlantWatch enables "citizen scientists" of all ages and skill levels to get involved in this important climate change research program. There is no charge to sign up as a participant, and you will receive two newsletters per year and a datasheet to record your results.  Other PlantWatch materials, such as a wall chart, poster (in French and English), Canada in Bloom booklet, and brochure, are available to the general public.  Individuals, schools, guides and scouts, and groups of all types are encouraged to participate. Check out www.plantwatch.ca for more details on the program.  To receive information on the PlantWatch program call Deanna at 780-9273 or 1-800-667-4668 (SK only), or by e-mail at plantwatch@naturesask.ca.