Phenology is the study of seasonal and cyclical changes in nature. In this Unit, students will follow in the footsteps of Aldo Leopold and his children by closely observing the natural world around them, connecting those observations to the seasonal changes in their landscape, and developing an appreciation for the dedication of scientists like Leopold. They will Connect, Explore, and Engage with nature through poetry writing, technology-assisted exploration, and phenological observations.

The Bayfield High School Ojibwe Language Course focuses on teaching traditional Ojibwe lifeways while using the Ancestral language. Students will learn how the Ojibwe people historically depended on natural resources for their survival. One activity that occurs in the spring is the investigation of Plant Phenology. The students will further their investigation by looking into reasons why the Phenology of certain plants vary. The students will focus on the impact of climate change and how it poses many risks to phenological events in the plants used by the Great lakes Ojibwe. Students will list various plants, research, and record the phenological events of the plants. Students will compare their observations with the previous year to determine if the plants are impacted by Climate change.  Local tribal elders and harvesters provide traditional stories and observations to gain a historical information on plant phenology. Through this activity, Bayfield students learn about how climate change can alter the phenology of some plant species and might impact traditional harvesting.