The Indigenous Phenology Network is a grassroots organization whose participants are interested in understanding phenology on lands and species of importance to native peoples. The group is focused on building relationships, ensuring benefit to indigenous communities, and integrating indigenous and western knowledge systems.

The relational doctrine that underpins the IPN’s work is:

• Everything in the natural world is family, with inherent rights

• Our ancestors teach compassion, humility, and give-more-than-take in relationship with nature

• Connection to the natural world is essential to individual and social well being

• Learning about the natural world takes place both through individual and intergenerational experience

• Our home environments are where we first learn to interact in harmony with nature

• Our neighborhoods are ultimately the environments that sustain and nourish our everyday needs

• Economic activity can only be sustained by creating and maintaining environmental and social health

• Policies support parity in access, approach and scope for social, economic, and environmental sectors

• Resource regeneration is directly linked to just and equitable distribution of resources, assets, profit, and potential

Current efforts are focused on the development of agro-ecological family food farms, combining the close observation of seasonal change with learning from local knowledge holders and elders, all with an eye toward community well-being and disaster resilience.

 Pilot Phenology Gardens and Trails:

• Wakarusa Wetlands Phenology Trail & Food Forest

• Phenology Learning Path at College of Menominee Nation, Sustainable Development Institute (Story in Native Science Report)

• Hawaii Food Forests

• Garden Project of the Aroostook Band of Mi'kmaq

Partners

• Olohana Foundation

• North Central Climate Science Center

• Fort Belknap Indian Community

• USA National Phenology Network

• National Ecological Observatory Network

• American Indian Higher Education Council

• Smithsonian Institution

The group is open to anyone interested and is currently organized through monthly calls and a listserv, by M. Kalani Souza and Brian Miller. To join, please contact Brian Miller (USGS, North Central Climate Science Center) at bwmiller@usgs.gov or 970-889-1272. Connect with us on Facebook!