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181 people are interested
Butterflies! Exhibit Volunteers
ORGANIZATION: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Please visit the new page to apply.
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181 people are interested
Butterflies is a tropical butterfly garden and permanent exhibit which opened November 4, 2006. Visitors walk through this warm and humid tropical paradise which houses live butterflies from various parts of the world. Within this habitat are many plants and flowers that help to simulate the tropics and supply nectar and shelter for the butterflies. In addition, there are live poison dart frogs and other insects in special display habitats to foster conversation about varied tropical species and life cycles. The facility is staffed at all times by volunteers and a manager, who are trained to facilitate the learning experience for the visitors. Volunteers greet visitors and school groups, make them feel welcome, explain a few special rules for visiting and serve as informal guides, helping them spot the butterflies and learn about them.
Additional tasks will provide volunteers with skills and knowledge critical in the basic operation of a butterflies garden or similar museum exhibit with live plants and insects:
* Caring for the butterflies; pinning pupae when shipments arrive, cleaning the pupae chamber, monitoring the emergence of the butterflies and releasing them at designated times of the day into the garden, preparing food for the butterflies, and collecting dead butterflies found within the habitat.
* Caring for the plants: general gardening duties such as pruning dead leaves and inspecting for pests.
* Assisting in the maintenance of the exhibit space within and outside of the Butterflies enclosure: spot cleaning and replenishing of supplies, organizing and keeping the back volunteer/office space in order, etc.
* Volunteers may also assist with some researching of butterfly information to develop new training materials for volunteers.
1 More opportunity with Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Opportunities
About Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Location:
Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy., Philadelphia, PA 19103, US
Mission Statement
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to advancing research, education, and public engagement in biodiversity and environmental science.
Description
Visitors to the Academy have the opportunity to get face-to-face with towering dinosaurs, meet live animals, and explore a tropical garden filled with live butterflies. Philadelphia’s natural history museum offers surprises for all ages, from changing interactive science exhibits to a children’s discovery center, a fossil dig, and opportunities to interact with real science experts.
The Academy’s working scientists spend their days focusing on critical global issues in biodiversity, evolution, and environmental science. In the field, Academy scientists have traveled as far as Vietnam to sample wild bird populations for emerging diseases such as avian influenza, and closer to home they have been studying the effects of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale. These research efforts and many others enable the Academy to provide accurate, real-time scientific information to the public on environmental and sustainability matters.
The Academy’s collections contain more than 18 million specimens and archival treasures and rate among the world’s most significant in terms of geographic, biological, and historical depth and breadth. Many specimens in the Academy’s collections predate the institution’s founding and reflect the work of famous naturalists and scientists, including Thomas Jefferson, John James Audubon, Meriwether Lewis, and William Clark. This "library of life" records the extraordinary diversity of life on Earth and preserves a long-term record of environmental change.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
Academy of Natural Sciences1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.Philadelphia, PA 19103
DATE POSTED
August 6, 2019
SKILLS
- Environmental Education
- Customer Service
- Animal Care / Handling
- Environmental Science
- People Skills
- Public Speaking
GOOD FOR
N/A
REQUIREMENTS
- Background Check
- Must be at least 14
- Orientation or Training
- 7 hours per month
- Enjoy a warm humid tropical climate. Must enjoy working with others and interacting with visitors, especially children.