WHO KNEW You Could Be a Citizen Scientist Right Here in Hanover?

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is studying climate change effects on plant annual fruiting and flowering timing. We’ve seen here in the Upper Valley how damaging the climate shifts can be with our apple trees. They are blooming with the early heat waves and then the blossoms are destroyed with seasonal spring freezes leading to smaller or no apple production. The AMC would like you to take a hike along the Appalachian Trail with your smartphone in hand. Download the free iNaturalist app, open an account and under projects, search and join the “Flowers and Fauna along the Appalachian Trail Corridor” project. Make sure your location settings are on so that the AMC scientists can pinpoint the plant locations. Take pictures of the plants and animals you see. The scientists are hoping to see plants that are doing relatively well despite the climate changes along the 2,000 plus mile Appalachian Trail area.

With the Appalachian Trail running right through Hanover, it’s easy for us to participate.