Scouts explore how plants and animals depend on each other, study endangered species, trace energy through food chains on land and in water to earn this merit badge.

Requirements

  1. 1. Plant and Animal Connections

    Plants Support Animal Life

    Name three ways in which plants are important to animals. Name a plant that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.

  2. 1. Plant and Animal Connections

    Animals Support Plant Life

    Name three ways in which animals are important to plants. Name an animal that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.

  3. 1. Plant and Animal Connections

    Food Chains in Action

    Explain the term “food chain.” Give an example of a four-step land food chain and a four-step water food chain.

  4. 4. Field Study Options

    Choose Your Five Field Studies

    Choose 5
    Do all the requirements in FIVE of the following fields:
    1. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        In the field, identify eight species of birds.

      2. 2.
        Make and set out a birdhouse OR a feeding station OR a birdbath. List what birds used it during a period of one month.
    2. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1 In the field, identify three species of wild mammals.
      2. 2 Make plaster casts of the tracks of a wild mammal.
    3. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Show that you can recognize the venomous snakes in your area.

      2. 2.

        In the field, identify three species of reptiles or amphibians.

      3. 3.

        Recognize one species of toad or frog by voice; OR identify one reptile or amphibian by eggs, den, burrow, or other signs.

    4. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.
        Collect and identify either in the field or through photographs 10 species of insects or spiders. Photos may be taken with your own equipment or gathered from other sources.
      2. 2.

        Hatch an insect from the pupa or cocoon; OR hatch adults from nymphs; OR keep larvae until they form pupae or cocoons; OR keep a colony of ants or bees through one season.

    5. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1 Identify two species of fish native to your area.
      2. 2 Collect four kinds of animal food eaten by fish in the wild.
    6. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1 Identify five species of mollusks and crustaceans.
      2. 2 Collect, mount, and label six shells.
    7. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Wild Plant Identification

        In the field, identify 15 species of wild plants.
      2. 2.

        Seeds, Leaves, and Plant Records

        Choose 1
        Do ONE of the following:

        1. Collect and Label Specimens

          Collect and label the seeds of six plants OR the leaves of 12 plants.

        2. Build a Photo Catalog

          Photograph the seeds of six plants OR the leaves of 12 plants and create a catalog of your photos.
    8. Do all
      Do ALL of the following:
      1. 1.

        Collect and identify three different types of soil that represent soils high in sand, clay and humus.

      2. 2.

        Collect and identify five different types of rocks from your area.

  5. 5. Outdoor Ethics

    Outdoor Ethics in Nature Study

    Discuss the importance of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code and how they relate to nature. Explain how you have followed the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while in natural areas during field observation, specimen collection, and identification.

  6. 6. Changing Landscapes

    Reading Ecological Succession

    Do all
    Do the following:
    1. a.

      Explain what succession is to your counselor.

    2. b.
      Visit a natural area (forest, grassland, meadow, water feature) and explain what stage of succession (both plant and animal) the area is in. Talk about what community/succession stages may have been there before and what community/succession stages may replace what you see now. Discuss what disturbances or changes have taken place in the past to create this landscape and what changes may occur in the future to change the landscape further.

  7. 7. Careers & Hobbies

    Choose a Future Path

    Choose 1
    Do ONE of the following:

    1. Nature Careers

      Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in Nature. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

    2. Nature as a Lifelong Hobby

      Identify how you might use the skills and knowledge in Nature to pursue a personal hobby. Research the additional training required, expenses, and affiliation with organizations that would help you maximize the enjoyment and benefit you might gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.