Climate diaries aid researchers, educate public

The UPEI Climate Lab is looking for Prince Edward Islanders to keep climate diaries to help with their research.

The 218-page hardcover books provide space for data on the next 25 years of weather-related phenomena. Diarists can record the first spring flowers of the year, the first snowfall, and other seasonal changes.

"It gives us a richer understanding of climate change," said project manager Derek Ellis.

"It also educates some of the people on P.E.I. It gets them thinking about climate change and how it actually affects us locally. It's an educational tool on the one hand, but it also gives us some pretty useful data."

The lab put together book with help from Environment Canada and the TD bank.

It's hosting workshops for people who want to use the diary. The first of those workshops is being held Tuesdayfrom 9 a.m. to noon at the climate lab on the UPEI campus. The second will be held Tuesday, March 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The books are $10 each, but the training sessions are free.

For mobile device users: Have you noticed a change in recent years in when spring comes to P.E.I.?