Volunteering for Earth Day 2022

For Earth Day, I joined the University of Nevada, Reno Natural History Museum to volunteer at their outreach booth. Kids leaned in close to peer at pinned bees and butterflies, while parents asked how they could help pollinators in their backyards. I enjoyed answering questions about our native insects and their role in local ecosystems. Invertebrates provide vital services such as pollination and nutrient recycling, yet they are often overlooked in conservation. This is largely because many people don’t realize the incredible diversity of insects right here in Nevada. To change that, the museum brings out interactive displays that highlight the wide variety of bees and butterflies found across the state. It was a meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day by sparking curiosity about the small creatures that sustain our landscapes.