H-SC Hosts Wildlife Viewing Camp

Students from surrounding counties were introduced to four wildlife-related topics throughout the week. Led by Elliott Professor of Biology Rachel Goodman and Assistant Professor of Biology Scott Starr, the students learned about birding, herpetology, aquatic insects, and terrestrial insects. This program was supported by the 2021 Virginia Wildlife Grant Program through a partnership between the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia.

“I always love sharing my enthusiasm for reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife with other people of all ages,” Goodman says.

Under the guidance of Goodman, an expert in disease ecology, behavioral ecology, and physiological ecology, the camp commenced with an introduction to birding. With various bird feeders scattered around campus and equipped with binoculars, the students familiarized themselves with the layout of campus while observing and discovering various bird species. After becoming familiar with campus, the students transitioned to an introductory session on herpetology, where they ventured to Chalgrove Point and the Wilson Trail to examine reptiles and amphibians captured in different traps.

“We were fortunate to have great weather and see tons of different birds and catch turtles, snakes, frogs, and many different invertebrates,” Goodman says. “If people never learn to be scared or grossed out by animals, then there's a better chance that they will hold on to their curiosity and admiration for animals throughout their lives.”

The sense of curiosity and excitement led to more than holding animals. During the camp, new interactions sparked new friendships. “The students interacted more with each other every day,” says Starr. “It was also fun seeing the students' eyes open more to the world around them as they viewed the many species we found during the camp.”

After interacting with reptiles and amphibians, the students found themselves in a stream off the Wilson Trail, where they searched for aquatic insects under the expertise of Starr. Using nets to capture insects and utilizing identification apps like Seek by iNaturalist, they gained insights into specific insect species and mapped their observations.

“It’s always fun to show younger students different species of organisms that they can often find in their backyard,” says Starr. “Many are surprised at what we find, and it's always fun to see their faces as they learn about them and, in some cases, when they get to hold them.”

The excitement of catching and discovering insects carried over into the final day of the camp, where students ventured around campus in search of terrestrial insects. Focusing on pollinators, the group finished by creating bee houses they could take home with them, along with a pocket birding guide from Virginia and some pollinator-friendly plants.

“We could not have done this without the work of Core Cultures Program Administrator & Grant Administrator Sach Dinmore, Director of High Adventure Scott Schmolesky, and our helper William Gardner ’25,” says Goodman. Their dedication and hard work played a significant role in making the camp a memorable and enriching experience for the students.

Having gained a wealth of wildlife knowledge, the students left the camp with fond memories. “I have not done much outreach outside of the college crowd in recent years, and this experience made me realize how much I miss this in my life,” says Goodman. Having reflected on the experience, Goodman and Starr noted that they learned from each other over the duration of the camp, proving that wildlife knowledge is forever growing.

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