Interns Go Exploring for Insects

One of the joys of interning at Grassroots Ecology is chasing butterflies through fields! This summer, as part of their 9 weeks with us, 14 interns learned about habitat restoration and the many plants and animals that grace our area.

At McClellan Ranch Preserve in Cupertino, interns captured and identified insects using several different collection methods to document species that were present (insects were later released). McClellan offers a unique opportunity to compare insects living in an open meadow environment to those living in the riparian ecosystem of Stevens Creek that flows through the preserve.

Interns used a card matching game created by our Staff Ecologist Shelley Pneh to learn major categories, or orders, of insects, such as beetles, butterflies, or grasshoppers. At the end of the day they got to share their captured finds with each other and work together to identify what they found.

interns discussing what insects they found

It is amazing what diversity and abundance we can find living among us, or buzzing by, if we just take the time to notice. Plus, living out a childhood dream of running after butterflies is a pretty nice way to spend an afternoon.

We are sad to say goodbye to our summer interns as they head back to school or on to other adventures, but we are looking forward to welcoming our new cohort of interns, who will be with us for the next 10 months!

By Emily Repech, Communications and Development Coordinator

Cover photo, and photos 1 and 2 by Christian Tensuan