Sweet Auburn: The Magazine of the Friends of Mount Auburn A Healing and Meditative Landscape | Page 28

People and Happenings Volunteer Profile: An Interview with Sherley Smith, Citizen Scientist By Paul Kwiatkowski, Wildlife Conservation & Sustainability Manager Mount Auburn launched its citizen-science program in March 2016 by implementing a phenology study. Phenology is the study of recurring plant and animal life-cycle stages and the relationship of these stages to weather and climate. A trail was drawn up at the Cemetery, linking numerous individual trees and shrubs of ten key species, about which volunteers collect data from spring bud-break to fall leaf-drop. This data will help us to better understand changes brought on by a warming climate. Sherley Smith was one of the first to volunteer and she has since become a fixture of our program. She diligently collects phenology data every spring and fall and has also volunteered for our microclimate study, Mount Auburn’s second citizen-science initiative. The microclimate study compares data from a weather station atop the roof of the Cemetery’s Operations Center with data collected from nineteen points on the grounds, taken with an infrared thermometer. This data will help inform future plant selec- tion for sites based on the growing conditions of different areas within Mount Auburn. I often find Sherley patrolling one of the three sections of the phenology trail with binoculars and a datasheet fastened to a clipboard, or recording data from an infrared thermometer at one of the microclimate study points. She always has a smile on her face and an observation to share that truly defines the thoughtfulness of our citizen-science community of volunteers. On a beautiful October day, Sherley and I sat on the bench at the entrance to Caroline’s Path to chat about what moved her to volunteer at Mount Auburn and what the experience has been like for her. Why did you volunteer to become a citizen scientist at Mount Auburn? I was an elementary school teacher for many years and I found that encouraging the children to get outside and explore motivated me to do the same. I became a docent at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens and then I started a docent program at the Boston Public Garden with a small group of like-minded individuals. We created a tour of historic trees and monuments in the garden and I began to focus more on trees. Eventually, I became president of the Garden Club of the Back Bay. There I advocated for the importance of street trees, including planting and maintenance. We created an inventory of every tree in the Back Bay. One of our greatest successes was the planting of a Ginkgo biloba alley on Clarendon Street. I began birding at the Cemetery in 2002, so I was familiar with Mount Auburn. When I read a flyer about the phenology study, I was intrigued. What has been your take-away from participating in citizen science at Mount Auburn? I am always learning new things. I can share what I’ve learned with Garden Club members, and I enjoy making friends. The teamwork aspect of the citizen-science program is very important. It is fun to walk in pairs or small groups to hone our observational skills. It is also important to me to care for the planet, and everyone’s contributions help. Tired of standing on the sidelines? If you love nature and are concerned about our warming climate, join our citizen scientists and make a difference through the phenology study or the naturalist program! For more information, contact: Paul Kwiatkowski (Wildlife Conservation & Sustainability Manager) at [email protected]