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Young collectors bring in found items such as shells, rocks, bark, pinecones and more. Collectors earn points for their items. These points can be banked or used to take home another item from the Nature Exchange.

The Nature Exchange encourages responsible and ethical collecting. The Nature Exchange does not accept live animals, items that come from endangered or threatened species or items from the Springs Preserve site.

If you have questions, call (702) 822-7759 to check with us before you bring the items.

Learn more about collecting and observing nature. Legal, ethical and responsible collecting that focuses on the scientific method and fun will be explored. Each program will involve an activity. Lessons and activities will be geared towards families with children ages 6 to 14. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is very limited, so register early.

Arachnids
July 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
$6 adults, $4 children, 2 and under free. Series cost is $15 adults, $10 children, 2 and under free.
Come explore the creepy, crawly creatures of the Mojave Desert and beyond! Join Springs Preserve Zoologist Cari Taylor to learn about the interesting ways arachnids survive in our wild world, and how your new knowledge can lead to fun experiences in the Nature Exchange.

Insects
August 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
$6 adults, $4 children, 2 and under free. Series cost is $15 adults, $10 children, 2 and under free.
Do you know the difference between an insect and a bug? Springs Preserve Zoologist Cari Taylor will teach families about what makes an insect an insect and how to safely and ethically collect and preserve them for trading in the Nature Exchange.

Birding
September 20, 10:30 a.m. to noon.
$6 adults, $4 children, 2 and under free. Series cost is $15 adults, $10 children, 2 and under free.
Even though the Nature Exchange does not accept birds in any form, including nests and feathers, journaling about birds is encouraged. Come and learn the ins and outs of birdwatching, including some of the best local spots, basic avian biology and how to create journals using images that will get you the most points for your Nature Exchange account.

The "BugSpeak" series is artist Brian Swanson's twist on the naturalist engraving style of scientific illustration. Each rendering is of "found" insects from here in Southern Nevada, most from his own front doorstep. Swanson's tongue-in-cheek humor is apparent in each piece; he has replaced the scientific text with what Swanson and his collaborator Danae Cummings call "bugspeak," based on the "voice" of the specimen: bees buzz, crickets chirp, and cicadas wuzz.

Use the tools below to help you prepare for your visit to the Nature Exchange at the Preserve.

Classroom Trading Account, Item Trading Form, and Group Research Trading forms (found below) are for the use of scheduled group tours only. Once you have completed these forms, please send them to curator@springspreserve.org or fax them to (702) 822-7783. These forms must be received a week prior to your scheduled visit to the Nature Exchange for us to be prepared to process your trades.

Nature Exchange Tools
	Classroom Trading Account
	Item Trading Form
	Group Research

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