Let's Go RockHounding!

In the latest Issue of NatureWILD we promised more on RockHounding by David Cook 

• For Laura Estrada's RockHounding Quick Tips click here
• For David Cook's Tips on Where to Look for Rocks and Minerals in BC click here

Tools you will need to get before you start

Hammer: geologist’s pick with a chisel point or a mason’s hammer

                 (not a regular claw hammer)

Cold chisels: 1/2 inch and 1 inch size

Very Important: Safety glasses: Goggle-type are best, but some plastic sunglasses can double as safety glasses. Hammered rocks can give off sharp chips which can cause serious damage to the eyes.

Hand lens or loupe (16 power): Can be carried on a string around the neck. A loupe is invaluable for looking at details; particularly the minerals that make up all rocks or the fossils that are preserved in some sedimentary rocks. 

On the day

Appropriate clothing, rain gear and sturdy tie-up shoes or boots with good tread.

Camping 101

Camping 101, a set on Flickr.

On July 7-8 Young Naturalists and their Families came together to camp at Deas Island! The sun shone, we went on a bat walk, canoed and even hula hooped! Here are some of our photo memories. Thank you to Brian Sheffield for use of his gear and our partner in this event, Metro Vancouver Parks.

Have you seen butterflies in your backyard or neighbourhood?

This summer you can be a scientist and collect important information about butterflies!

Put your lab coat on, grab your camera and help UBC scientist Heather Kharouba with her research project on butterflies!  Take photos of butterflies, record some simple data, and send to the YNC to qualify to win great prizes.

Butterflies enjoy warm sunny days and as our climate changes we might see even more of them.  Heather wants to learn how butterflies are going to change with a different climate, 

“We want to know more about when and where butterflies are active and which flowers they like best for nectar. You can help by being a young scientist and watching for butterflies in your backyard and neighbourhood and recording what you see.” 

Heather Kharouba is a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Zoology &  Beaty Biodiversity Centre. To learn more about Heather and her work click here

What to do: