NATURE

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REQUIREMENTS were REVISED effective January 1, 2004.

New text is in bold underlined text like this sentence.
Deleted portions are struck through italic text like this sentence.

To see the current requirements with no highlighting of the changes,
Click Here

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NOTE TO USERS:
Prior to 2004, Requirement Number 4 in the merit badge pamphlet was numbered differently
than in the requirements book.

In the Pamphlet (and in the 2004 requirements book), each field is identified by letters (a,b,c, etc.)
and the activities are numbered (1,2,3, etc.).

In the requirements book, the fields were NOT identified by numbers or letters,
and the activities were identified by lower case letters (a,b,c, etc.).

We have shown BOTH numbering systems below. Colored Bold Italic text
designates the numbering system which was formerly used in the requirements book (and which is now obsolete).

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1. Name three ways in which plants are important to animals. Name a plant that is important to animals that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.
2. 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. Explain the term "food chain." Give an example of a four-step land food chain and a four-step water food chain.
4. Do all the requirements in FIVE of the following fields:
   1. BIRDS
      1. (a) In the field, identify eight species of birds.
      2. (b) Make and set out a birdhouse OR a feeding station OR a birdbath. List what birds used it during a period of one 1 month.
   2. MAMMALS
      1. (a) In the field, identify three species of wild animals mammals.
      2. (b) Make plaster casts of the tracks of a wild mammal.
   3. REPTILES OR and AMPHIBIANS
      1. (a) Show that you can recognize the poisonous snakes in your area. Identify in the field three species of reptiles or amphibians.
      2. (b) In the field, identify three species of reptiles or amphibians.
         Recognize one species of toad or frog by voice;
         OR identify one reptile or amphibian by eggs, den, burrow or other signs.
      3. (c) Recognize one species of toad or frog by voice;
         OR identify one reptile or amphibian by eggs, den, burrow or other signs.
   4. NSECTS OR and SPIDERS
      1. (a) Collect, mount, and label 10 species of insects or spiders.
      2. (b) 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. FISH
      1. (a) Catch and identify two species of fish.
      2. (b) Collect four kinds of animal food eaten by fish in the wild.
   6. MOLLUSKS AND CRUSTACEANS
      1. (a) Identify five species of mollusks and crustaceans.
      2. (b) Collect, mount, and label six shells.
   7. PLANTS
      1. (a) In the field, identify 15 species of wild plants.
      2. (b) Collect and label seeds of six plants;
         OR the leaves of 12 plants.
   8. SOILS AND ROCKS
      1. (a) Collect and identify soils found in different layers of a soil profile.
      2. (b) Collect and identify five different types of rocks from your area..
5. Do ONE of the following:
   1. Raise tadpoles from eggs;
      OR raise adults from tadpoles;
      OR keep and adult reptile so it stays healthy for 1 month.
   2. Develop a simple aquarium with fish and plant life. Keep it so that they stay healthy for 1 month.
   3. Develop an aquarium. Keep in it two species of mollusks or crustaceans so that they stay healthy for 1 month.
   4. Build a terrarium with three species of plants. Keep it so the plants stay healthy for 1 month.
   5. Grow seeds for 1 month in two kinds of soil. Describe difference in rate of growth.

NOTE:
In most cases all specimens should be returned to the wild at the location of original capture after the requirements have been met. Check with your merit badge counselor for those instances where the return of these specimens would not be appropriate.
Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, some plants and animals are or may be protected by federal law. The same ones and/or others may be protected by state law. Be sure that you do not collect protected species.
Your state may require that you purchase and carry a license to collect certain species. Check with the wildlife and fish and game official in your state regarding species regulations before you begin to collect.

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BSA Advancement ID#: 78
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2003
Requirements last updated 2004