# Choose a Field Botany Project

Part of the Plant Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/index.md)

*8. Option C — Field Botany*

> **8c6.** Do ALL of the requirements in ONE of the following alternatives:

You must choose exactly one project. Each option teaches field botany in a different way, so pick the project that best matches your access, skill level, and time.

## Your Options

- **[Req 8c6a — Tree Inventory](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6a/)**: Identify trees, document them with specimens, measure size, and teach others how to use a key.
- **[Req 8c6b — Transect Study](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6b/)**: Compare two plant communities along long straight study lines and graph the results.
- **[Req 8c6c — Nested Plot Study](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6c/)**: Use large, medium, and small plots to compare plant layers at two sites.
- **[Req 8c6d — Visiting an Herbarium](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6d/)**: Study how plant collections are stored, organized, and used by researchers.
- **[Req 8c6e — Visiting a Plant Conservation Organization](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6e/)**: Learn directly from people protecting rare plants and natural areas.

## How to Choose

| Option | Best if you want to... | Best if you have access to... |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Inventory | focus on trees and teaching identification | neighborhoods, parks, or camps with many trees |
| Transect Study | collect field data and make graphs | two long study areas with different plant communities |
| Nested Plot Study | compare vegetation layers in detail | sites where you can mark and measure plots |
| Herbarium Visit | learn indoor research methods | a university, botanical garden, or online herbarium |
| Conservation Visit | see real protection work in action | a nature agency or conservation group nearby |

> **Tip**
>
> If you enjoy careful measurement and charts, choose Transect or Nested Plot. If you prefer visits and interviews, Herbarium or Conservation Visit may fit better.

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- Previous: [Rare Plants](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c5/index.md)
- Next: [Tree Inventory](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8c6a/index.md)