An innovative climate change cell phone tour and pilot project at Longwood Gardens marks the first deliverable in a series of objectives between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and American Public Gardens Association that focuses on educating gardeners and garden enthusiasts about the possible effects of climate change on America’s gardens, landscapes, and green spaces.
Using NOAA climate data, high resolution maps show how changes in average annual minimum temperatures affect climate-related planting zones. This information can help gardeners, landscapers, and farmers identify which plant species will best survive in certain conditions. The exhibit is augmented by a cell-phone recording that explains what the changes in planting zones mean for gardeners.
All American Public Gardens Association member institutions are welcome to download and utilize this material as part of their interpretive experience. Contact APGA for these graphics in other formats.
Note: The largest size is 32” x 20” – smaller sizes are easily accommodated The sign has suggested places where Cell phone tour info and QR codes can be placed The complete version of NOAA’s “Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States” Report is included in the .zip file for further facts and information
The sign provides a basic overview of climate change and includes a NOAA Lab Map of how plant hardiness zones are predicted to shift over the next 30 years. It is also a great companion product when interpreting the new USDA Hardiness Zone maps to guests.
The cell phone tour script features comments by Thomas R. Karl, L.H.D. Director, National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, North Carolina and Chair, Subcommittee on Global Change Research.
Karl is a fellow and former president of the American Meteorological Society and serves on the World Climate Research Programme’s Joint Scientific Committee. He has received extensive recognition for his significant contributions in climate science and services, including two Presidential Rank Awards, five Gold Medals and two Bronze Medals from the Department of Commerce. Karl has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and several books as Editor and Contributor. He has been the Convening and Lead Author and Review Editor of all the major IPCC assessments since 1990, which were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.
