Methods:

1. Select a location near water, with a clear view of the water and vegetation along the banks

2. Record the field number, date, time, environmental conditions, and location description on the top of the data sheet.

3. Take a point in EpiCollect(project “Dragonflies”), using photographs to document the survey area. For this investigation, do not use EpiCollect to photograph individual dragonflies or damselflies/​

4. Set a timer for 10 minutes and being the survey.

5. Observe an area approximately the size of ½ a basketball court. Look for dragonflies and damselflies flying, perched (resting) on vegetation or rock, or even laying eggs on the water surface. Some dragonflies fly right about the surface to the water, where as other fly higher above the water.

6. Once you’re located a dragonfly, attempt to identify it using the field guides and record it on the data sheet with a tally mark.

   1. Tip: If a dragonfly is resting on vegetation or rocks, use the binoculars to get a closer view other wings, eyes, body, and colors to help with identification.

7. Record all of the types and amounts of dragonflies observed during the 10 minutes observation period. 

8. Once finished with your 10 minute timer, spend another 5 minutes attempting to catch dragonflies.

9. The motion of the net should be a sweeping motion, jerk the net back and turn the rim of the net face up.(rapid motion).

10. Once successfully catching a dragonfly, put it into the butterfly cage. 

11. Once completed take a second to try to identify it.(*Do not add it to the EpiCollect data)

12. The minute you put the dragonfly into the butterfly garden you can take a picture of it and add it to iNaturalist.

13. If Dragonfly is in the collection release it immediately. If it’s not in the collection take it into the lab.