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Butterfly research assistant. by Kayla VanHouten

November 25, 2019

This summer I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for a study on Northern Metalmark butterflies. I spent most of my time collecting mark & recapture data from the butterflies, and also got the chance to collect data involving canopy cover, censusing, and plant density. My coworkers and I were able to capture over 300 butterflies in just a few short weeks. I learned about how important it is to keep the main goal, conservation, in mind when conducting any sort of habitat management. Overall the best part about this internship was getting the opportunity to gain real hands-on experience in a field setting.