UWB Herbarium: 15 Hours Volunteer
Issued by
UW Bothell
The University of Washington (UW) Bothell Herbarium is a plant lab that collects, preserves, and stores plants specimens for later use in study and research. The practice of herbaria and cataloging specimens dates back to the 18th century. The UW Bothell Herbarium provides an opportunity for herbarium volunteers to earn a digital badge after 15 service hours per quarter.
- Type Validation
- Level Foundational
Skills
Earning Criteria
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Participant completed 15 hours of volunteer time at the UW Bothell Herbarium; time validated by the Herbarium Collections Manager. Volunteer activities may include the following: Guided walks in natural areas including surveying and observing plant and animal habitats. Developing species plant lists for locations and publishing on statewide database: www.wnps.org/plantlists.
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Collecting plants, documenting the specimen’s morphology, and taking an ecological snapshot of soil, plant communities, and environment. After collection, participants use different techniques to press and/or preserve the plant. Participants assist in identifying the plant and create the informational placard. Information about the collection is entered into the herbarium database. Participants glue the dried specimen to paper and attach placard.
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Participate in photographing and digitizing the collection to be viewed on regional database online at pnwherbaria.org. Database entry of specimens that were procured from other herbaria. Assist with community events and tours, such as youth science camps, large classroom tours, or tabling at school events. Time spent collecting or identifying specimens outside of scheduled herbarium sessions count toward the volunteer hours when the specimen is added to the collection.
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Co-curricular badges are given to students by an Office or Department, at the University of Washington Bothell, and are not part of student’s official academic transcript.