We're excited to announce the early return of a fan favorite: the 2025 Phenology Calendar!Whether you're new to the practice or a seasoned pro, phenology is a fun way to get engaged with the natural world. Do you notice the arrival of eastern phoebes in late March, or the blooming of compass plants in early June? Interpreting nature's transitions throughout the seasons can give you a better understanding of what is happening in your biotic community.
In 1935, Aldo Leopold and his family began recording detailed phenological observations while at the Shack, a nearly 90-year legacy which is continued today by the Aldo Leopold Foundation. These records allow scientists and casual observers to peer into not only the past, but also the future of our natural world. If you have ever searched online or in a book for the bloom date of your favorite flower or when you might expect to see a certain bird in your backyard, you have likely found an answer giving a few weeks' time span of when this natural event may occur. Scientists and citizen phenology observers have compiled a rich history of data to help predict when to expect these natural events. With many events now happening earlier than ever, these data also help us understand how life on the land is adapting to and is affected by climate change. By maintaining Leopold’s legacy of observation, we are able to put truth to what Leopold surmised: that “…phenology may eventually shed some light on that ultimate enigma, the land’s inner workings.”
This year's calendar will focus on thermal niches: environmental temperature ranges required by each species for survival, growth, and reproduction. Some species can survive over abroad range of temperatures, whereas others thrive only within a restricted temperature range. It is therefore of vital importance for plants and animals to find ways to stay within their niche on a seasonal basis to successfully complete their life cycle activities. The 2025 Phenology Calendar will explore how different species adapt to warming temperatures, whether it's shifting an activity earlier in the season or moving to a local habitat with more favorable climatic conditions.
Enjoy gorgeous photos of Wisconsin flora and fauna, eloquent Leopold quotes, and illuminating sidebar panels and introductory text from Dr. Stan Temple, Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and inductee to the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame. The calendar offers plenty of space for you to write in your own nature observations and appointments, and features a wide variety of secular and religious holidays―as well as historic environmental milestones.
This popular item continues to be one of the most sought-after offerings in our bookstore, helping readers discover and delight in all things “natural, wild, and free." Get started early on birthday or holiday gift shopping for the nature lovers in your life and snag yours today! Order online, or stop by the Aldo Leopold Foundation now through October 31st to pick up the 2025 Phenology Calendar in-store.
https://www.aldoleopold.org/products/2025-phenology-calendar
Thank you to McFarlanes' Retail and Service Center for sponsoring the 2025 Phenology Calendar.
The Aldo Leopold Foundation was founded in 1982 with a mission to foster the land ethic through the legacy of Aldo Leopold, awakening an ecological conscience in people throughout the world.
