Tree Week & beyond: An Taisce programmes collaborate on nationwide Citizen Science project Celebrating the amazing science and importance of trees for National Tree Week and beyond. An Taisce is encouraging the nation to take part in a fantastic Citizen Science project with GLOBE Ireland to map, measure and share valuable tree data with EPA Ireland and NASA. This project takes place from 3-28 March. You can contribute by first downloading NASA's GLOBE Observer app on to your phone to create a free account, choose TREES and follow the instructions. The brilliant GLOBE Ireland programme is part of the international 'GLOBE Program — Worldwide Science and Education Program' supported by NASA. Its main focus is on primary and secondary schools and facilitates practical engagement with citizen-science activities. GLOBE Ireland supports innovative solutions-oriented thinking and sustainable environmental action. Green-Schools Ireland is also a big part of the team, gathering data from the nation's students. Another excellent An Taisce programme, Learning about Ecosystems and Forests (LEAF Ireland) has incredible expertise in the important role of trees and are supporters of this project. LEAF Ireland works with local authorities, government departments, educational institutions, communities and businesses. Its collaboratively-developed projects are holistic and tailored to educate, restore local ecosystems and/or plant trees when appropriate. Healthy and resilient forests play a key role in reducing and mitigating extreme weather events and supporting Ireland's circular economy, while also meaningfully contributing to biodiversity and our climate goals. Map and Measure Trees in March with the NASA GLOBE Observer App An Taisce is looking for citizen-scientists to measure Tree Height from March 3rd through 28th using the GLOBE Observer App. How? Once you have downloaded the GLOBE Observer app and created an account, the Trees tool will guide you through the observation process. Required steps include selecting a tree and using your device to measure the angle from the bottom to the top of the tree, walking to the tree and counting your steps (to determine the distance) and reporting on surface conditions. The app will use that information to calculate an estimate of the tree’s height. Why? It’s fun and importantly, trees cool and moisten our air and fill it with oxygen and can help balance our carbon budget. Tree height is the most widely used indicator of an ecosystem’s ability to grow trees. Observing tree height allows NASA scientists to understand the gain or loss of biomass which can inform calculations of the carbon that trees and forests either take in from or release into the atmosphere. Download a pdf of the instructions below: A message for all Irish Tree Height observers from NASA's Brian Campbell, Senior Earth Science Specialist as part of the Earth Sciences Division Manage Cookie Preferences