- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
It was a day for UC Davis employees to bring their offspring to campus to show what they and their peers do, and to interest them in career choices and opportunities.
The Bohart Museum of Entomology and the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology are both housed in the Academic Surge Building.
The David and Sarah Trombly family (David works for UC Davis Utillties) were there with their three sons, Daniel, 5, Joshua, 4, and Joseph, 11 months. Joshua, the entomology fan in the Trombly family, exulted over the bugs, eagerly asking the Bohart scientists for identification. His smile widened each time he received an answer.
Amiyah Robinson, 8, was among the daughters who participated in TODS, joining her mother, Chelsy Robinson, who works in Human Resources. Lynn Kimsey, director of the Bohart Museum and professor of entomology, introduced them to the fascinating world of insects.
Bohart associates and UC Davis students Emma Cluff and Wade Spencer showed jewels beetle specimens, and live insects--Madagascar hissing cockroaches ("hissers") and walking sticks--part of the museum's petting zoo. Cluff held a hisser in her hand while a walking stick crawled up her forehead.
Then it went from bugs to snakes! Amiyah walked down the hallway to the display provided by the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. Owner Donnelly “Papaya” West of Papaya Pythons, Davis, was there for an educational presentation on snakes. Amiyah petted K'uychi, an 8-foot-long, 9-pound rainbow boa, Epicrates cenchria. True to its name, its colors resembled a rainbow in the sunlight.
Want to see more Bohart Museum insects? The Bohart is displaying 17 drawers of insect specimens at the 142nd annual Dixon May Fair, which opened Thursday, May 11 and continues through Sunday, May 14. The specimens are displayed all four days in the Floriculture Building. Scientists will be at the Floriculture Building on two afternoons: Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 with the hissers and the sticks. Fairgoers will be invited to hold and photograph them. On Friday afternoon, an added attraction is Wade Spencer showing his scorpions, Hamilton and Celeste. Then on Saturday, entomologist Jeff Smith, who curates the butterfly and moth display at the Bohart Museum, will discuss and show his insect specimens, gathered from many parts of the world. (See May 10 Bug Squad blog)
![Joshua Trombly, 4, eagerly asks for insect identification at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. In back is his brother Daniel, 5. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Joshua Trombly, 4, eagerly asks for insect identification at the Bohart Museum of Entomology. In back is his brother Daniel, 5. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43738.jpg)
![Checking out the insect specimens at the Bohart Museum of Entomology are David and Sarah Trombly and their three sons (from left) Joshua, 4, Daniel, 5, and Joseph, 11 months. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Checking out the insect specimens at the Bohart Museum of Entomology are David and Sarah Trombly and their three sons (from left) Joshua, 4, Daniel, 5, and Joseph, 11 months. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43739.jpg)
![Lynn Kimsey (right), director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, shows insect specimens to Amiyah Robinson, 8, and her mother, Chelsy Robinson, who works for Human Resources. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Lynn Kimsey (right), director of the Bohart Museum of Entomology, shows insect specimens to Amiyah Robinson, 8, and her mother, Chelsy Robinson, who works for Human Resources. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43740.jpg)
![Bohart associate Wade Spencer, a UC Davis student majoring in entomology, shows jewel beetles to Amiyah Robinson, 8, and her mother, Chelsy Robinson. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Bohart associate Wade Spencer, a UC Davis student majoring in entomology, shows jewel beetles to Amiyah Robinson, 8, and her mother, Chelsy Robinson. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43741.jpg)
![Donnelly Donnelly](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43742.jpg)
![A rainbow boa inches closer to Amiyah Robinson, 8, while William Parsons, 6, watches. The Papaya Pythons owner explained A rainbow boa inches closer to Amiyah Robinson, 8, while William Parsons, 6, watches. The Papaya Pythons owner explained](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/43743.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
The UC Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology is again sponsoring two summer Bio Boot Camps: one for youths entering the seventh, eighth or ninth grade this fall, and one for youths entering grades 10 through 12 this fall.
"The camps focus on insect science and wildlife biology, due to our partnership with the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology," said camp coordinator Tabatha Yang, the Bohart Musuem's education and outreach coordinator.
The Bio Boot Camp, the seventh annual camp for middle school students, will take place Monday-Friday, June 19-23. It's based in Davis, but Thursday night features an overnight stay at the UC Berkeley's Sagehen Field Station, near Truckee. The total cost, including meals and housing, is $425.
Bio Boot Camp 2.0, the fifth annual camp for high schoolers, is set July 23 to 29. They will spend one night at UC Berkeley's Quail Ridge Reserve, near Winters. "The next day will be spent exploring UC Davis and the museums," Yang said. "Then Monday night through Saturday morning, the camp is at the Sagehen Field Station where the youths will be developing mini research projects." The total cost, including meals and housing, is $795.
Pre-enrollments take place January through March, and the campers are selected for formal enrollment in early April. "We do this to select the most genuinely interested campers," Yang explained. The process is already under way: the first application came from Germany.
Enrollment is kept low to provide quality experiences. The middle-school camp is limited to 12 students and the high school camp, to 10. Each camp has two instructors. The Bohart Museum Society sponsors need-based partial scholarships for several campers each year.
For more information, access the website at http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/summer-camp. Yang can be reached at at tabyang@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-0493.
![The 2011 UC Davis Bio Boot Camp featured a tour of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road. Here the campers crowd around beekeeper Elizabeth Frost as she opens the hive. Frost is now the education officer for honey bees at the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) The 2011 UC Davis Bio Boot Camp featured a tour of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road. Here the campers crowd around beekeeper Elizabeth Frost as she opens the hive. Frost is now the education officer for honey bees at the Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/42722.jpg)
![UC Berkeley's Sagehen Field Station, near Truckee, is a favorite of scientists. The UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology hosted a faculty/graduate student retreat there Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16. Here Professor Phil Ward (far left) searches for ants. (Photo by Sandy Olkowski) UC Berkeley's Sagehen Field Station, near Truckee, is a favorite of scientists. The UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology hosted a faculty/graduate student retreat there Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16. Here Professor Phil Ward (far left) searches for ants. (Photo by Sandy Olkowski)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/42723.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
New to the Biodiversity Day are the Nematode Collection, Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, California Raptor Center, Phaff Yeast Culture Collection and the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden.
They will join the Center for Plant Diversity, Botanical Conservatory, Paleontology Collections, Anthropology Collection, Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, and the Bohart Museum of Entomology for a day of science exploration.
Biodiversity Museum Day is billed as a special day for the public to go behind the scenes to learn how scientists conduct research; gain first-hand educational experience; and see some of the curators' favorite pieces, including the history of the collection or the organism.
Parking is free. Visitors are encouraged to stroll or bike around the UC Davis campus to visit these diverse collections. They can explore displays, talk to scientists and students, and participate in family-friendly activities. This year students interested in applying or transferring to UC Davis are especially encouraged to visit.
All participating museums and collections have active education and outreach programs, but the collections are not always accessible to the public. For a full-day experience, the Biodiversity Museum Day has scheduled staggered hours:
- Anthropology Collections, Young Hall, open noon to 4 p.m.
- Arboretum, Headquarters along LaRue Road, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Bohart Museum of Entomology, Academic Surge Building, open noon to 4 p.m.
- Botanical Conservatory, greenhouses along Klieber Hall Drive, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- California Raptor Center, Old Davis Road, open 9 a.m. to noon
- Center for Plant Diversity, Sciences Lab Building, open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, Bee Biology Road, open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, Academic Surge Building, open noon to 4 p.m.
- Nematode Collection, Sciences Lab Building, open 1 to 4 p.m.
- Paleontology Collections, Earth and Physical Sciences Building, open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Phaff Yeast Culture Collection, Earth and Physical Sciences Building, open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Most of the collections are located indoors. In the event of rain, alternative locations are planned for the outdoor sites. Maps, signs and guides will be available at all the collections, online, and on social media, including Facebook and Twitter, @BioDivDay.
For further information about the event, contact Ernesto Sandoval, director of the Botanical Conservatory, at jesandoval@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-0569.
(Editor's Note: More information and photos are pending. The Bohart Museum of Entomology,Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven and the Nematode Collection are all part of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology.)
![Bohart Museum associate and entomologist Jeff Smith (in back, at left) talks about the Lepitoptera section that he curates. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Bohart Museum associate and entomologist Jeff Smith (in back, at left) talks about the Lepitoptera section that he curates. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/33899.jpg)
![Bohart Museum associate Robbin Thorp (center), distinguished emeritus professor of entomology, with visitors at a Biodiversity Museum Day at the Bohart Museum. At right (foreground) is UC Davis entomology undergraduate student and Bohart volunteer Wade Spencer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Bohart Museum associate Robbin Thorp (center), distinguished emeritus professor of entomology, with visitors at a Biodiversity Museum Day at the Bohart Museum. At right (foreground) is UC Davis entomology undergraduate student and Bohart volunteer Wade Spencer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/33900.jpg)
![The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven will be a part of the Biodiversity Museum Day this year. The bee sculpture is the work of Davis artist Donna Billick, who co-founded and co-directed the UC Davis Art/ Science Fusion Program with professor/entomologist Diane Ullman. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) The Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven will be a part of the Biodiversity Museum Day this year. The bee sculpture is the work of Davis artist Donna Billick, who co-founded and co-directed the UC Davis Art/ Science Fusion Program with professor/entomologist Diane Ullman. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/33903.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
UC Davis's fourth annual Biodiversity Museum Day, to take place Sunday, Feb. 8 from 12 noon to 4 p.m., will showcase collections at the Bohart Museum of Entomology, Center for Plant Diversity, the Botanical Conservatory, the Paleontology Collection, the Anthropology Collection, and the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology.
“Each museum's impressive research/teaching collection documents the biodiversity of life in California and throughout the world, whether it be plants, fossils, human culture, insects or birds,” said co-coordinator Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum.
All participating museums have active education and outreach programs, but the collections are not always accessible to the public.
There is no admission and no parking fees. Visitors are encouraged to stroll or bike around the UC Davis campus and visit all six collections. All collections are located indoors.
Maps, signs and guides will be available at all the locations on the main UC Davis campus.
The locations:
The locations:
Bohart Museum of Entomology, Room 1124 of Academic Surge, Crocker Lane (off LaRue Road)
Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, 1394 Academic Surge, Crocker Lane
UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, Kleiber Hall Drive
Center for Plant Diversity, Sciences Laboratory Building, off Kleiber Hall Drive, near Briggs Hall
Anthropology Collections, Young Hall, off A Street
Geology Collections, Earth and Physical Sciences Building, across from Academic Surge Building, Crocker Lane
For more information visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/UC-Davis-Biodiversity-Museum-Day/316198101914890?sk=timeline. For further information, contact co-coordinator Ernesto Sandoval of the Botanical Conservatory at jesandoval@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-0569.
![Madagascar hissing cockroach crawls on arm of youngster at Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Madagascar hissing cockroach crawls on arm of youngster at Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/27376.jpg)
![Visitors enjoying the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory. Visitors enjoying the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory.](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/27377.jpg)
![Olivia Dally, a UC Davis grad who received her degree in wildlife fish and conservation biology in 2012, preparing specimens at the third annual Biodiversity Day. Olivia Dally, a UC Davis grad who received her degree in wildlife fish and conservation biology in 2012, preparing specimens at the third annual Biodiversity Day.](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/27378.jpg)
![This is the skull of an Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, displayed last year by the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology in the Academic Surge building. This is the skull of an Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, displayed last year by the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology in the Academic Surge building.](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/27379.jpg)
![Visitors to the Botanical Conservatory delighted in the dispersal method of the popping Visitors to the Botanical Conservatory delighted in the dispersal method of the popping](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/27382.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Biodiversity--that's what it's at on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the University of California, Davis.
That's when four museums or centers that engage in education and research involving insects, vertebrates or plants will host open houses.
And folks will be amazed, officials promise.
The Bohart Museum of Entomology, the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology and the Botanical Conservatory will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m., while the Center for Plant Diversity will be open from 2 to 4 p.m.
"This will be a fun day where people of all ages can visit UC Davis and check out a number of our research and teaching collections," says Tabatha Yang, education and outreach coordinator for the Bohart Museum and Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology. "Each collection is special and an important scientific resource. I think people will be amazed."
Yang calls it a "behind-the-scenes look at some top research collections."
"There will be staff and students on hand to answer questions and engage people. With Valentine's Day close by there will be some exhibits with a bent toward our love of the natural world, attracting a mate, and mating! But don't worry--it will be appropriate for all ages. For plants this means pollination and that ties back to insects and other animals like bats! "
The event is the first-ever on campus and may become an annual event. "The various collections have talked about doing a museum day," Yang said. "In early February, there is an annual Museum Day for the Sacramento area. This involves the zoo, the railroad museum and other attractions."
Theme of the Bohart Museum open house will be “Bug Lovin.’” The Bohart Museum, located at 1124 Academic Surge on California Drive, is home to more than seven million insect specimens; a live petting zoo (including Madagascar hissing cockroaches and walking sticks; and a gift shop. The director is Lynn Kimsey, professor of entomology at UC Davis. The museum is affiliated with the Department of Entomology.
The Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology (MWFB) is a vertebrate museum dedicated to education, outreach, conservation, and research. It is located in 1394 Academic Surge, California Drive and is part of the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology. MWFB is managed by curator Andrew Engilis, Jr. and collections manager Irene Engilis.
The UC Davis Botanical Conservatory, directed by Ernesto Sandoval, is a 3,600 square-foot greenhouse complex located north of Storer Hall on Kleiber Hall Drive. Its mission "to inspire, facilitate, promote and engage our visitors with an understanding and appreciation of plants, their diversity and the pivotal role they serve in the environments where they are found," Sandoval says. The Botanical Conservatory is part of the Plant Biology Section, Department of Plant Sciences. The conservatory includes more than 3,000 live specimens from 150 families.
The Center for Plant Diversity, directed by Dan Potter of Plant Sciences, is located in 1026 Sciences Laboratory Building, near Briggs and Storer halls. Part of the Department of Plant Sciences, it houses the J.M. Tucker and Beecher Crampton Herbaria. "We are going to have plant pressing and mounting demonstrations as well as tours," says curator Ellen Dean.
Feb. 12 also marks the birthday anniversary of naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882). Yang pointed out that "Darwin was inspired by exploring and collecting plants and animals from all over the world. This connection to nature and curiosity is what fueled Darwin's research. Our collections can inspire that same sort of curiosity and questioning.”
Yes, it promises to be an amazing day!
![Senior museum scientist Steve Heydon shows his son, James, 10, around the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Senior museum scientist Steve Heydon shows his son, James, 10, around the Bohart Museum of Entomology. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/10189.jpg)