Cassy Latchman
UTM NATURE TRAIL
UTM NATURE TRAIL
UTM NATURE TRAIL
Role: Lead Researcher, Designer, and Content Writer
Role: Lead Researcher, Designer, and Content Writer
This research project was funded by the University of Toronto (UofT). This project was conducted to enhance the experience for users at the UTM Nature Trail by studying various singing insects (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and cicadas), pinpointing their location on the trail, and determining the approximate time of day and month the insects would be out/singing. UofT wanted to the users of the UTM Nature Trail to be able to identify and enjoy the singing insects in the area. Information pamphlets were created based on each singing insect found at the UTM Nature Trail (in addition to other insects in the vicinity).
Singing Insects
Singing Insects
I captured insects (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and cicadas) that were on the UTM Nature Trail to observe their behaviour and sounds. These insects were captured and brought into the lab for further analysis.
A few of the insects that were studied can be seen below.
How to Optimize the UTM Nature Trail
How to Optimize the UTM Nature Trail
I conducted field research by going out onto the UTM Nature Trail. I recorded audio, look pictures, and captured the insects in order to study them further in the lab. The location of the insects was noted down in order to pinpoint their location for purposes of helping users of the trail locate the insects easier.
Secondary research was conducted in order to obtain specific facts pertaining to different singing insects, like their habitat, life cycle, and appearance.
The audio of a Carolina ground cricket can be seen below.
Please note, this is an image of the audio file.
Information Sheets
Information Sheets
Information sheets were created based on the primary and secondary research that was conducted.
The sheets summarize The sheets point out different facts regarding the insect, a description of the insect's song, and the location (where the insect can be found on the UTM Nature Trail).
Takeaways
Takeaways
Due to my research, user's of the UTM nature trail were able to identify various singing insects (grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, and cicadas) on the trail. The information sheets that I created were helpful since they allowed the user's to have an overview of the singing insects on the trail.
