In this special session, we will bring together individuals in the phenology research community of practice to discuss recent advances and new directions. The rapidly growing field of phenology aims to enable understanding and forecasting of ecological responses to climate change and the characterization of the complex relationships between biological and climatic processes. A number of efforts have emerged to provide and promote standardized phenology data and protocols, including the USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) and the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON).  The recent delivery of derived phenology data products and tools for data exploration is the result of collaborations between academic and agency scientists, and data-providing organizations.  During this session we will describe recently developed USA-NPN phenology products available to researchers, including gridded phenology models and visualizations, as well as recent applications of USA-NPN data. Through a moderated discussion we will identify (1) unanswered, critical research questions in the field, (2) types of novel projects and activities that are moving the field of phenology forward, (3) mechanisms by which phenology data providers can adapt to the evolving research landscape to effectively facilitate key scientific advances, and (4) opportunities for researchers to participate in activities related to the analysis and application of continental-scale phenology data.  We anticipate greater coordination and collaboration towards a shared goal of understanding and forecasting phenological responses to climate variability and environmental change as outcomes of this session.  Refreshments will be served at the session.