Kunzea ambigua - a plant on the Gardens' ClimateWatch Trail

Climate Watch - an Australia-wide Citizen Science Project

Follow the Gardens' ClimateWatch Trail to make observations and record timings of seasonal life stages of selected plants and animals.

How to be involved

Follow the climate watch trail in the Gardens. Register with ClimateWatch to record your observations.

The trail can be explored for short or long walks, it's up to you. Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and have some water with you.

Visit the Visitor Centre while in the Gardens for further information.

Why get involved?

• Learn how climate change is affecting our wildlife.
• Become an observer and help monitor the biodiversity in the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
• Use a ClimateWatch field guide and recording sheet for The Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra to spot species that are indicators of climate change and record your observations.
• Contribute valuable data to the national research effort to protect our native plants and animals and make a real difference in your local community!
• Learn about the science of phenology – the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how these are influenced by variations in climate.

Background

Developed in partnership with Earthwatch Australia, the Australian National Botanic Gardens ClimateWatch Trail enables visitors to become 'citizen scientists', monitoring changes in flowering times and nesting patterns of plants and animals in the Gardens.

The ClimateWatch Trail provides another way for schools and the community to engage with the Gardens collection of Australian native plants and contribute to valuable research in protecting native plant species.

The ClimateWatch trail was funded by the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, who are also supporting the initiative with volunteers to record observations and to help visitors to monitor flora and fauna.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens ClimateWatch Trail will be launched in conjunction with International Day for Biological Diversity 2012. Held on 22 May each year, International Day for Biological Diversity aims to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues around the world.