Awards Page

What kind of leaves are those, and why are they bug-eaten?

They are Sweetgum leaves, Liquidambar styraciflua, from a tree next to Naturalist Jim's door

They are bug-eaten to remind us that in nature
everything connects to everything else.
Bugs eat leaves, birds eat bugs, what comes out of birds fertilizes trees producing the leaves...
Nothing exists alone.

3 leaves Naturalist Jim Conrad's

AWARDS

a service of the Backyard Nature Website

WHAT ARE THE AWARDS?

The awards consist of being recognized at this Backyard Nature website as a genuine Backyard Naturalist who has identified a significant number of living organisms in his or her own neighborhood.

SENDING JIM YOUR LISTS:

Email your lists to Naturalist Jim here. Organize your lists so that closely related organisms appear in the same place -- turtles in one place, birds in another, for instance. In the bird part you would put warblers in one place, sparrows in another. Usually the order presented in your field guide is appropriate.

Three levels of award are given:

bronze THE BRONZE BUG-EATEN LEAF AWARD

Requirement:

Identify and list at least 33 organisms in your neighborhood

The Award:

You will be listed on our "Bronze Bug-Eaten Leaf Award Page," along with your home town

See Lists from Bronze Winners

silver THE SILVER BUG-EATEN LEAF AWARD

Requirement:

Identify and list at least 66 organisms in your neighborhood and provide the scientific names for each of those organisms

Explain which three organisms you believe are the most interesting on your list, and why

The Award:

You will be listed on our "Silver Bug-Eaten Leaf Award Page," along with your home town

Your list's three most interesting organisms will be highlighted so that others can admire your accomplishment

See Lists from Silver Winners

gold THE GOLD BUG-EATEN LEAF AWARD

Requirement:

Identify and list at least 100 organisms in your neighborhood and provide the scientific names for each of those organisms

Explain which five organisms you believe are the most interesting on your list, and why

Write a short essay (up to 500 words) in which you describe what you have learned by identifying 100 of your neighboring organisms.

The Award:

At this site you will receive your own "Gold Bug-Eaten Leaf Award Page," all to yourself, with your name and home town boldly presented across the top

On that page your list's five most interesting organisms will be highlighted so that others can admire your accomplishment

Your essay will be presented on that page, along with any appropriate photograph of you which you have provided

See Lists from Gold Winners

WHO GIVES THE AWARDS?

Naturalist Jim Conrad personally reviews all material received. When he is satisfied that the identifications are accurate and provided in good faith he will immediately post the appropriate award at this website.

WHAT ARE THE AWARDS WORTH?

The value of these awards depends upon what you think about this website and its objectives. If in your judgement you believe that the information here is presented in a conscientious, effective manner, and that the subject matter is interesting and important, then you can justly feel that your award recognizes a significant accomplishment.