Forward and Beyond

Moving Forward and Beyond

This project became a family affair over the semester, sparking a shared enjoyment and increased knowledge of fireflies and woodland turtles. I wish that there had been more community outreach program opportunities during this semester so that I could’ve documented it but in the spring my children are interested in trying to go to the upcoming spring meeting in May. The Virginia Herpetological Society and the North Carolina Herpetological Society partnered to host an event in Halifax County, VA. The event has drawn over 40 participants, who will be exploring different sections of the park to create a comprehensive species checklist.

Spending time outside at parks and in our yard searching for and catching fireflies or spotting woodland turtles, has been a summertime favorite and I am sure we will continue in the future. My children and I have been fascinated by the clever ways fireflies have inspired biomimicry, and we've loved discovering the historical facts behind them. Their importance in a sustainable future is becoming increasingly clear, as researchers study their natural bioluminescence efficiency to develop new, eco-friendly lighting and medical technologies. These discoveries have deepened our appreciation for these tiny insects, showing us how a love for nature can spark curiosity about the world and inspire a more sustainable future.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Documenting and Training

This summer, and possibly beyond, I'll be tracking and recording sightings of fireflies and woodland box turtles. I plan to spend two to three nights a week outside spotting fireflies. For the woodland box turtles, I often see them crossing the road, which is when I stop to move them, or find them in my yard. Documenting and Training for Firefly Sightings Below are the steps to take on the Firefly Atlas website: ·       Find information about how to survey for  13 focal species ; ·       Access survey protocols and species identification materials; ·       Submit observational data, including  photos ; ·       Identify the fireflies in your photos, with the potential for verification by experts; ·       Download a  species checklist  for your state or province of interest; ·   ...
Read more

Woodland Turtle Sighting

  Spotted a Woodland Turtle! Today as I was walking through my yard to my garden I spotted a Woodland turtle! I often find these turtles in my quiet neighborhood crossing the road or near our creek. It was a surprise to find them near my pear tree enjoying the sun and munching on some grass. I may have spooked them by taking some pictures but needless to say they were a good sport and “smiled” for the camera. Filling out my reporting on the,  Virginia Herpetological Society , was easy and simple. I will admit that providing all my personal information felt a little much but I understand that by providing the information it adds to validity to the integrity of the entry. *Disclosure I will posting pictures on Canvas due to the cost of posting pictures on this blog.
Read more