Requirements at Boxwell Summer Camp

The majority of the requirements were completed at the Boxwell Summer Camp between 06/20 and 06/26/2021.  Items that were signed off in my Boy Scout Handbook are not documented here.  The items below are the additional requirements that I needed to complete outside of the camp.

Section 5 - Construction Project

B. Construct, erect, and check regularly bird feeders and keep written records of the kinds of birds visiting the feeders.​
I have constructed a bird feeder for my backyard and I also put up another feeder.  I filled the constructed feeder up with dried mealworms.  I filled the other feeder with a bird seed mix.
I started to observe the birds that visited my bird feeders over the weekend of November 26-29, 2021.  My grandmother helped me keep watch for visiting birds and she helped me identify the type of birds.  My grandmother really enjoys bird watching so it was fun to spend some time with her.

The birds that I observed included:
  • Female Cardinal (1)
  • Many sparrows (5-10)
  • Grackle (1)
  • Female Bluebird (1)

Section 7 - Research

A. ​Determine the age of five species of fish from scale samples or identify various age classes of one species in a lake and report the results.
Identify Various Age Classes of Large Mouth Bass
I am interested in learning how to identify the age classes of the Large-Mouth Bass.  I live near the Herb Parsons Fishing Lake in Collierville, TN - one of the popular fishes in the lake is the Large-Mouth Bass.

Based on the research I was able to find, you can tell the age of a large-mouth bass (Black Bass) by looking at the rings on the scales of the fish.  A bass will grow a ring each year it is alive, similar to a tree ring.  You start at the center of a scale, which is called the nucleus, and count each dark ring outward for each year.  The articles I read say that this counting ring method is only accurate up to 5 years of age.

Because the ring counting is not always accurate, lake managers will also use the length of the fish to determine the age.  What is interesting is that large-mouth bass may have different age-lengths from different lakes.  Lakes vary in temperature, resources, and minerals, which account for the different lengths for ages.  Most lakes keep a census of fish to age lengths, so fishermen can figure out the age.
​
Picture
Courtesy photo Image showing a sectioned and polished otolith from a 7-year-old largemouth bass. N = nucleus which represents when the fish hatched; A = annulus number or growth ring number.
Sources
  • ​https://spo.nmfs.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy-pdfs/leaflet488.pdf
  • https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/where-to-fish/west-tennessee-r1/herb-parsons-lake.html
  • https://www.outdooralabama.com/black-bass/age-bass
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/twra/documents/fishing/anglersguide.pdf

Section 8 - Professional Jobs

​Using resources found at the library and in periodicals, books, and the internet (with your parent's permission), learn about three different positions held by fisheries and/or wildlife professionals. Find out the education and training requirements for each position.

Entomologist
Entomologists are biologists who study insects. They usually are involved in research and/or education.

Duties
  • Develop and conduct experimental studies with insects in controlled or natural surroundings
  • Collect and analyze biological data and specimens
  • Study the characteristics of insects, including interactions with other species and their environment, reproduction, population dynamics, diseases, and movement patterns
  • Research, initiate, and maintain breeding programs for insects
  • Estimate, monitor, and manage insect populations
  • Write research papers, reports, and scholarly articles that explain findings
​
Education Requirements
  • Four-year Bachelor’s degree in entomology
  • Advance degrees for teaching and research positions, M.S. or Ph.D. level
  • Certification from the Entomological Society of America 

Sources
  • ​https://www.thebalancecareers.com/careers-with-wildlife-125918
  • ​https://www.thebalancecareers.com/entomologist-125921
Wildlife Biologist
Gathers, analyzes, and interprets data on wildlife and habitats, including behavior, disease, ecology, genetics, nutrition, population dynamics, physiology, land-use changes, and pollution to conserve wildlife species and improve habitat conditions. A wildlife biologist uses scientific principles to research wildlife and habitats to increase our knowledge base.

Duties
  • Conduct census projects, research studies, and complex data analysis.
  • Study ecosystems.
  • Trap, tag, or relocate animals for conservation purposes.
  • Develop land and water use plans.
  • Work to save endangered species.
  • Evaluate the impact of commercial ventures on local wildlife.
  • Study wildlife disease transmission.
  • Interact with fish and game wardens and wildlife rehabilitators to coordinate the management of local wildlife.
  • Write research papers, scientific reports, and scholarly articles to explain findings.
  • Present findings to academics, the general public, and other stakeholders.
​
Education Requirements
  • A bachelor’s degree is required at minimum, while a master's degree or doctorate is generally preferred 
  • Certification from The Wildlife Society offers the field’s professional designation: Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB)
​
Source
  • https://www.thebalancecareers.com/wildlife-biologist-125928
Herpetologist
Biologists who study reptiles and amphibians. They may be involved in a variety of areas including research, education, or collection management.

Duties
  • Upon completing a research study and analyzing the data collected, herpetologists may publish their findings in scientific journals where others can review them in the field.
  • Research may be conducted in the field or in controlled laboratory settings.
  • Some herpetologists, especially those concerned with anatomy and physiology, study preserved museum samples.
  • Herpetologists may be involved with the direct care of the animals that they use for research purposes if they do not have a laboratory assistant to handle such duties. Many aspiring herpetologists first hold lab assistant positions while they pursue their graduate level studies.
  • Many researchers are also college professors, and they have teaching duties to attend to when they are not traveling to conduct research in the field.
  • Herpetologists involved in education at the college level are responsible for preparing lectures, writing and grading exams, designing laboratory exercises, and supervising student workers as they assist with research studies.
  • It may be necessary for herpetologists to travel to various countries so that they can pursue research opportunities with other specialists in their area of study.

Education Requirements
  • Entry into the field of herpetology requires at least a four-year degree in biology or a related field 
  • Graduate degrees, such as a Masters or Ph.D., are required for those seeking research positions

Source
  • https://www.thebalancecareers.com/herpetologist-125922
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Award

  • Requirements completed on 1/31/2022
  • Awarded on 02/14/2022 at the Court of Honor ceremony
  • Merit Badge Councilor: Mr. Childress

Sources