Journey North
Journey North – Tracking Migrations and Seasons: “Since 1994, Journey North has evolved to take advantage of new technology and emerging environmental challenges. Today, climate change and habitat loss threaten many migratory species. Journey North will continue to evolve to meet these challenges. Deeply rooted in the belief that everyone can contribute to our understanding of the natural world, Journey North embarked on its journey in the mid-1990s. Journey North was founded in 1994 by Elizabeth Howard, who led the project for 25 years. Through 2018, the project was funded by Annenberg Leamer, an initiative of the Annenberg Foundation. This initiative was born from Howard’s vision of harnessing …
Journey North
Journey North – Tracking Migrations and Seasons: “Since 1994, Journey North has evolved to take advantage of new technology and emerging environmental challenges. Today, climate change and habitat loss threaten many migratory species. Journey North will continue to evolve to meet these challenges. Deeply rooted in the belief that everyone can contribute to our understanding of the natural world, Journey North embarked on its journey in the mid-1990s. Journey North was founded in 1994 by Elizabeth Howard, who led the project for 25 years. Through 2018, the project was funded by Annenberg Leamer, an initiative of the Annenberg Foundation. This initiative was born from Howard’s vision of harnessing the burgeoning power of the internet to explore the intricate web of connections within the natural world. Howard’s deep interest in wildlife migration, coupled with her concern about how changing habitats were negatively affecting migratory patterns, was the driving force behind her aspiration to share this captivating story with a wider audience. Her goal was to create a program that would not only showcase the incredible journeys of migratory species but also provide a means for the public to track these phenomena across North America. This is where the nascent technology of the internet seamlessly integrated with Journey North’s mission. The emerging technological advancements proved to be the perfect tool for educating people about nature and allowing them to witness their favorite species’ migration across the continent. In the late 1990s, Journey North underwent another transformation by introducing a platform that allowed participants to submit their observational data. No longer were volunteers required to mail in their reports; a new system enabled them to submit their sightings from the comfort of their homes. Today, the migration story has become a collective effort, narrated by thousands of volunteers, and brought to life through real-time mapping visualizations of wildlife migration. The days of hand-drawn, static maps are a thing of the past. Journey North continued to evolve. In 2019, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum acquired the program. This transition marked an exciting juncture for Journey North, as the UW-Madison Arboretum is dedicated to fostering ecologically sustainable relationships between people and the land through innovative, collaborative science, stewardship, education, and public engagement. Participatory science programs like Journey North aligned with the Arboretum’s mission. In 2024, Journey North celebrated its 30th anniversary, a remarkable milestone. In 2025, the program transitioned to a new home at the Monarch Joint Venture. We invite you to join us in our mission to safeguard the future of migratory species and their habitats. Together, we can ensure that the awe-inspiring phenomenon of migration continues to enrich our world, creating a lasting legacy of conservation for generations to come.”
Posted in: Climate Change, Environmental Law