The Sonoma Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen is alive with science, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteer citizen scientists. For the past ten years, they’ve been closely monitoring the growth of the star magnolia, or Magnolia stellata, visiting the tree once a month to observe its seasonal changes.
Jeannie Perales, the Executive Director of Sonoma Botanical Garden, introduces me to the team. “Good morning, everyone!” she greets them. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they dive into their work, which is part of the USA National Phenology Network. This program captures how climate changes affect plants and animals throughout the seasons.
As we stroll through the garden, Perales points out various sections, including the Asian Garden, which features plants collected over three decades from East Asia. “Eighty percent of our plants here are wild collected, offering a glimpse into rare genetics,” she explains.
Michael Wenzel, the Botanist and Curator of Living Collections, shares how they built such an impressive collection. “It was through partnerships with botanical gardens in Asia and England, allowing us to gather seeds while respecting import regulations,” he says.
The team approaches their first magnolia tree, which stands around ten feet tall, lacking leaves but full of potential. Perales explains, “This star magnolia is native to Central Japan and is currently endangered in its natural habitat.”
Pat Edelstein, the project organizer, hands me a species profile from the National Phenology Network. “This lists what we look for throughout the year,” she notes, adding that they’re currently searching for flower buds, which bloom before the leaves.
I chat with volunteer Steve Corey, who is inspecting a budding flower. “This little bud will soon unfurl to reveal a Stellata flower,” he explains. “It’ll be stunning, with multiple petals that are usually pink or white.”
Volunteer Liz Vaughn is busy taking notes. “We document the stages of each magnolia tree,” she says. “We’ve been doing this for almost a decade, visiting once a month.” Her dedication reflects not just commitment but a passion for contributing to science. “Our data helps track climate change and how trees adapt over time,” she says.
Alison Head adds to the discussion, explaining how their work feeds into a national database, helping scientists analyze trends across the country. “Every month we gather data, noticing changes that accumulate over years,” she says, emphasizing the importance of consistency in their observations.
As we walk to the next tree, the atmosphere is both relaxed and purposeful. “It’s wonderful just walking through the garden and observing the changes,” Barnes remarks. Regular visits create a deeper appreciation for the plants. “You begin to notice how they thrive or struggle,” she says.
At the second magnolia tree, the group finds no blooms, while the third tree surprises us with a display of early flowers. “We take samples from specific branches to ensure our data remains consistent,” explains Head. The location of each tree also impacts its growth, with the third tree enjoying a sunny spot by the pond.
After checking the final tree, I ask Edelstein if there are concerns about the future of their project amidst shifting political views on climate change. “Since this is a citizen science initiative funded through grants, I’m not worried about it stopping,” she assures me.
The star magnolia is just one of five species being monitored at the garden, each tree assigned to a different team of volunteers. Interest in nature and science brings this group together every month, allowing them to share observations and enjoy each other’s company.
As we wrap up the day, they confirm their next meeting time, continuing their dedicated pursuit to understand climate change through their love for trees. Each visit deepens their connection to this beautiful garden, making it a special place for learning and growth.
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