Cubs Naturalist Activity Badge

Sometimes I do look at the Awards and corresponding badges here, some of which change over the decades that Cubs may earn in part to show the effort the young person does put in and also what Scouts in its different programs does offer.

Ecology and the Environment is a topical subject and a part of our role as responsible stewards over time is understanding and caring for the natural world so it seemed a good idea to look at the Naturalist Activity Badge, something that also would appeal to me.

How to earn your badge:

1. Learn how to identify six different living things from two of these categories:

   • trees
   • garden birds
   • water birds
   • minibeasts and insects
   • wild flowers
   • pond dwellers
   • fungi
   • butterflies and moths

   That means you should have 12 examples in total.

2. Over three months, visit the same natural area at least four times.

   Take a note of the changes in the plants and wildlife that you see. You might visit a garden, hedgerow, canal, river lake or park. Make sure that you have an adult’s permission for the visits.

3. Learn the countryside code and how to follow it.

4. Choose one of these activities to do:

1. Make a hedgehog, ladybird or bee house.
2. Create a piece of art using natural material. You could do a bark or leaf rubbing, dried flower picture or maybe a collage.
3. With an adult pick wild edible berries, leaves or fruit. Use them in a recipe.
4. Use a dye that uses natural ingredients to colour a piece of material.
5. Make a feeding station for birds. Get permission to hang it in a good position.

Guidance is available over the sort of activity you might plan, permissions required and safety considerations but it is YOUR effort that would secure the award.