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Zoo InternQuest is a seven-week career exploration program for San Diego County high school juniors and seniors. Students have the unique opportunity to meet professionals working for the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, and Institute for Conservation Research, learn about their jobs, and then blog about their experience online. Follow their adventure here on the Zoo’s website!
Do you love bugs and creepy crawlies? Meet Ester Chang! Ester Chang is a Senior Keeper in the Insect Department at the San Diego Zoo. Ms. Chang’s job includes feeding and overseeing the insects on and off exhibit, as well as managing other conservation efforts! Ms. Chang has always been fascinated by insects, but it took a few different jobs and opportunities for her to realize that they were her main passion. She loved collecting and observing insects when she was younger, and her curiosity never failed to prove rewarding!
The study of insects is known as entomology, which is what Ms. Chang is interested in. Did you know that for the one million discovered and described insects in the world, there’s an estimated 10 million living undiscovered? Ms. Chang shared that in the field, new species are constantly being discovered! One of those fascinating species at the Zoo is the leafcutter ant. The largest consumer of leafy material in the rainforest, these persistent ants use the leaves they cut to feed the fungus that they rely on to survive! In the Insect House at the Zoo where many insects are kept on exhibit, the species are classified based on their jobs. An insect might be a pollinator, meaning it goes from plant to plant spreading pollen, helping plants grow. It may be a decomposer, meaning that it breaks down dead plant and animal materials into nutrients that feed the surrounding living plants. An insect may also be a predator, which helps keep other insect populations under control by eating them.
Ms. Chang said that at home, we can help native insects by not using pesticides or insecticides. We can also plant native plants in our yards and gardens. The insects around us are part of our ecosystems and are all important to the environment. Whether they are pollinators, decomposers, or predators, we need to learn and protect the insect species around us!
Background Information: Planting a butterfly garden is an excellent way to attract native butterfly species to your yard and help them thrive! By planting vibrant and fragrant blooms, you’ll provide butterflies with a safe place to rest and feed. To plant a garden, you’ll need to start small, planting seeds that turn into seedlings, and then plants with blooming flowers. This could take a few months so be patient! Once the seedlings sprout they can be transplanted to a clear area with lots of sun and shade to grow. The butterflies will no doubt thank you.
The types of butterflies that will be attracted to your flowers will be different based on your area! Ms. Chang and her associates are currently working to protect the quino checkerspot butterfly, a species native to the San Diego area. Due to habitat loss, the butterfly is struggling to survive and find places to live.
What you’ll need:
-Empty egg carton
-Potting soil
- Seeds (See below for the types of flowers to plant)
-Shallow dish
Step One: Choosing your seeds
The types of seeds you will want to plant will be based on the species native to your area as well as the types of butterflies you want to attract! I’d recommend finding 3-4 flower or herb varieties to plant.
Remember- butterflies love vibrant blooms! They also love nectar and pollen-rich plants. Some seeds you might want to pick out are sage, milkweed, lavender, aster, zinnia, alyssum, and butterfly bush.
[caption id="attachment_119670" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Step Two: Cut the side flap and top off of your egg carton. This will be where your seeds sprout into seedlings.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119671" align="aligncenter" width="254"]
Step Three: Fill your carton with moist potting soil. Each cup should have around two inches of soil.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119672" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Step Four: Using your fingers, make two ½ inch deep holes in each cup. Plant 2 seeds in each hole, or a pinch of seeds if you’re using smaller ones. Make sure to separate your plant varieties.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119673" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Step Five: Place your seedlings in an area full of sunlight. Water as needed, keeping the soil moist. When the sprouts are 3-4 inches tall, replant them in a garden bed or soil plot where they will have more room to grow![/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119674" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
Once your garden begins to grow, place a shallow dish of water out for butterflies to drink from. They need water too! In months, you’ll have a growing garden full of potential and, hopefully, new butterfly inhabitants![/caption]
Casey, Kid's Corner
Week Two, Fall Session 2016
Do you love bugs and creepy crawlies? Meet Ester Chang! Ester Chang is a Senior Keeper in the Insect Department at the San Diego Zoo. Ms. Chang’s job includes feeding and overseeing the insects on and off exhibit, as well as managing other conservation efforts! Ms. Chang has always been fascinated by insects, but it took a few different jobs and opportunities for her to realize that they were her main passion. She loved collecting and observing insects when she was younger, and her curiosity never failed to prove rewarding!
The study of insects is known as entomology, which is what Ms. Chang is interested in. Did you know that for the one million discovered and described insects in the world, there’s an estimated 10 million living undiscovered? Ms. Chang shared that in the field, new species are constantly being discovered! One of those fascinating species at the Zoo is the leafcutter ant. The largest consumer of leafy material in the rainforest, these persistent ants use the leaves they cut to feed the fungus that they rely on to survive! In the Insect House at the Zoo where many insects are kept on exhibit, the species are classified based on their jobs. An insect might be a pollinator, meaning it goes from plant to plant spreading pollen, helping plants grow. It may be a decomposer, meaning that it breaks down dead plant and animal materials into nutrients that feed the surrounding living plants. An insect may also be a predator, which helps keep other insect populations under control by eating them.
Ms. Chang said that at home, we can help native insects by not using pesticides or insecticides. We can also plant native plants in our yards and gardens. The insects around us are part of our ecosystems and are all important to the environment. Whether they are pollinators, decomposers, or predators, we need to learn and protect the insect species around us!
Background Information: Planting a butterfly garden is an excellent way to attract native butterfly species to your yard and help them thrive! By planting vibrant and fragrant blooms, you’ll provide butterflies with a safe place to rest and feed. To plant a garden, you’ll need to start small, planting seeds that turn into seedlings, and then plants with blooming flowers. This could take a few months so be patient! Once the seedlings sprout they can be transplanted to a clear area with lots of sun and shade to grow. The butterflies will no doubt thank you.
The types of butterflies that will be attracted to your flowers will be different based on your area! Ms. Chang and her associates are currently working to protect the quino checkerspot butterfly, a species native to the San Diego area. Due to habitat loss, the butterfly is struggling to survive and find places to live.
What you’ll need:
-Empty egg carton
-Potting soil
- Seeds (See below for the types of flowers to plant)
-Shallow dish
Step One: Choosing your seeds
The types of seeds you will want to plant will be based on the species native to your area as well as the types of butterflies you want to attract! I’d recommend finding 3-4 flower or herb varieties to plant.
Remember- butterflies love vibrant blooms! They also love nectar and pollen-rich plants. Some seeds you might want to pick out are sage, milkweed, lavender, aster, zinnia, alyssum, and butterfly bush.
[caption id="attachment_119670" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Step Two: Cut the side flap and top off of your egg carton. This will be where your seeds sprout into seedlings.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119671" align="aligncenter" width="254"] Step Three: Fill your carton with moist potting soil. Each cup should have around two inches of soil.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119672" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Step Four: Using your fingers, make two ½ inch deep holes in each cup. Plant 2 seeds in each hole, or a pinch of seeds if you’re using smaller ones. Make sure to separate your plant varieties.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119673" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Step Five: Place your seedlings in an area full of sunlight. Water as needed, keeping the soil moist. When the sprouts are 3-4 inches tall, replant them in a garden bed or soil plot where they will have more room to grow![/caption]
[caption id="attachment_119674" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Once your garden begins to grow, place a shallow dish of water out for butterflies to drink from. They need water too! In months, you’ll have a growing garden full of potential and, hopefully, new butterfly inhabitants![/caption]
Casey, Kid's Corner
Week Two, Fall Session 2016
