How to Create a Naturalist's Laboratory

If you are interested in studying nature and wildlife, consider creating a naturalist's laboratory in which you can pursue your interest. Regardless of its size, it will be useful to have a place where your tools and equipment will be undisturbed, and where you can return to your specimens whenever time allows.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Desk and chair
• Shelves
• Magnifying glass
• Reference books
• Photograph albums
• Forceps or tweezers
• Microscope
• Field guides
• Notebook
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Specimen containers
• Pocket knife
• Bandanna
• First aid kit

1. Choose your space. Pick a room in which you can work undisturbed. It should be large enough to hold a desk, a chair and shelves for storing your equipment and the specimens that you gather.
2. Purchase the equipment that you need for your lab. Common laboratory tools include a magnifying glass, reference books, photograph albums, forceps or tweezers and a microscope.
3. Organize your equipment. Group related tools and specimens together, label drawers and shelves and sort your reference books by topic.
4. Create a field pack to take on your expeditions. It should contain naturalist field guides, notebooks, binoculars, a camera, tweezers, specimen containers, a pocket knife, a magnifying glass, a bandanna and a first aid kit.
5. Gather your specimens. Take your tools outside and gather rocks, minerals, plant seeds and samples, animal droppings and skeletons to stock your naturalist's laboratory.