I love that camera, and have added it to my collection of badges. Sure wish we had more room to display them.

A few minutes ago I went back over every post in this thread. All of the posts were in some way connected/related to micro badges, how to create them, which editing programs could be used, size requirements, how to earn acorns to buy more micro badges. The OP requested that the thread be closed because "his" micro badges were not being created. We offered suggestions and offered help/assistance to the OP and to each other. Several new badges are now available for 'purchase' because of this thread.

Some folks on ATP are a bit old and slow and occasionally the conversation may drift to ducks in diapers which I personally thought was really funny; it made me go look to see if we have a "Duck" micro badge. Some folks may also be young and impatient. Do we have a micro badge for that? Sorry, bad question - I take it back.

In case it was me who is to blame for veering off course I will remove the post where I added a photo of my garden project; it was only intended to be an encouraging post to a newer member who (I felt) needed some encouragement to be creative and earn acorns...to obtain micro badges.

My offer to edit images for the OP will also be struck out as it is clearly not an offer that will be accepted.

I like a thread to suggest new badges. Some work out, others don't, but a good place to throw around ideas. I have more affiliation with my gardening region than my political state, hence I have no desire for a state badge. I do like the state and/or regional badges which resonate with symbols indigenous to or known in the area (Georgia peach, Nebraska windmill, PNW conifers). I also prefer the badges that are a simple symbol with a clear background, and sometimes will buy a badge that symbolizes something different to me than the stated reason. Still looking for something for fostering native habitat, but no idea what to suggest as everyone has different natives. Maybe a brush pile with a small mammal on top?

perhaps a sign that says "critter friendly area"

gingin said:perhaps a sign that says "critter friendly area"

Oh, I like that idea!

Bonehead said: Still looking for something for fostering native habitat, but no idea what to suggest as everyone has different natives. Maybe a brush pile with a small mammal on top?

I like that idea!! I would definitely get one.

Catmint20906 said:

I like that idea!! I would definitely get one.

If Dave makes it, I will buy it!

A sign that says 'Critter friendly area' is also nice!

I would buy either one. I just love the idea.

After I posted this, I remembered that there is a 'Lover of Wildlife' badge with either a raccoon or bear icon. I really don't want either of those guys in my yard, although I did buy the raccoon badge because I also have a 10 acre woodlot that is habitat for many animals (coons, possums, deer, bear, coyote). I'd actually prefer a coyote option for Lover of Wildlife, if anyone wants to create one - they are my favorite out-back animals.

But, back to topic - my thought for is a separate badge for those of us who actively encourage native birds and small mammals into our YARDS with water, native food plants, and cover - along the lines of the requirements to become a Certified Native Habitat. We had a discussion about this in the Wildlife forum, and I'm neither advocating nor criticizing that organization, but I'm not personally interested in their fees for an atta-boy sign.

Critter friendly is nice, but a bit blurry re domestic animals (cats and dogs). Not sure if I am making myself clear, or perhaps I'm just splitting hairs...

I understand what you're saying, Deb, and agree! It is a niche that we don't have a badge for--building native habitat for the pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.

Okay, I just finished reading every post in this thread. I agree that this is a helpful thread and I was also under the impression that it was open for everyone to make suggestions for microbadges that they would like to see, many of which have been done (Thanks, Dave!) and a few which are still gaining support.

I have to admit, I really liked the Wicked Witch of the West or the tornado idea for Kansas, but oh well. It's not my state, so I don't get to choose. I'm just glad that the Michigan one was an image of the state instead of the flag. The flags don't appeal to me as much, but that's just personal preference, I suppose.

I thought the apartment gardening idea was clever (it wouldn't describe me, but I'll bet a good number of ATP members are) and the garden photography one was a good idea. So was the solar energy one - I third or fourth that idea.

Is there a vermicomposting one? I'll have to double-check and see...I think I'd like to see a microbadge with a little worm eating away happily at something. Or maybe 'making' the compost, if you catch my drift.

I can't think of any new microbadges at the moment. Personally, I'm enjoying the 'clean' look of having only a few badges, but I know I will succumb to the cuteness of the microbadges and eventually need something to do with the excesses of acorns that I will eventually have. ...Eventually

Deb, I understand what you're saying too. I have raccoons traipse through my backyard almost every night. I also have oppossums. They are not nearly as cute.

I am in the process of putting together my backyard - flower and vegetable beds, birdhouses, feeders and such. I checked online re: the certified native habitat requirements and decided I didn't need to have a little thing to stick in my front yard. I have every intention of creating that kind of space however, and a micro badge would be a wonderful thing to have.

I tried to make a simple mock up of an idea for the badge calling it simply

Backyard
Habitat

with a second choice being

Natural
Habitat

third choice being

Nature
Habitat or

Nature
Friendly
Habitat

(I tried to put a box around each so they would look like signs or micro-badges but the BB box thingy didn't work.)

Even though our chosen habitats may not be in the back yard and might be out in the back 40 somewhere, might that be an idea for those of us who encourage many types of critters/pollinators/etc.?

For me, the key word is 'native' - which addresses different insects/birds/mammals for each region, but the idea (in my mind) is to create a habitat of native food plants, providing predator and nesting shelter, and fresh water. Often not a tidy endeavor, which is my thought for using a brush pile as the major icon.

Tuckersmom said: Deb, I understand what you're saying too. I have raccoons traipse through my backyard almost every night. I also have oppossums. They are not nearly as cute.

I am in the process of putting together my backyard - flower and vegetable beds, birdhouses, feeders and such. I checked online re: the certified native habitat requirements and decided I didn't need to have a little thing to stick in my front yard. I have every intention of creating that kind of space however, and a micro badge would be a wonderful thing to have.

We have opossum on occasion. We used to trap and release them elsewhere, but recently found out they eat about 5,000 ticks a year. Because our pasture is overgrown, we've got too many ticks. Also, they cannot carry rabies as their body temp is too low for it to survive. That's enough for me to want them here and if they eat any of our bird food, it is well deserved payment for them hanging around. Sadly, the last one we had was roadkilled.

I would welcome a "protector of useful garden critters" instead, with maybe a lizard, bee, or ladybug. Lizard being one that hasn't been used, and since i have lizard housing available.........i would like that!

I think we are talking about kind of different things. But no worries. A lizard badge would likely be a hit, much as the frog was (except it ended up being orange for some reason). I think I'll ditch my raccoon and hope for a coyote at some point.

Bonehead said:I think we are talking about kind of different things. But no worries. A lizard badge would likely be a hit, much as the frog was (except it ended up being orange for some reason). I think I'll ditch my raccoon and hope for a coyote at some point.

I created the frog and I went with the orange, because it showed up the best. A big problem with creating micro badges is finding images that will convey the message and still be visible at the 32 X 32 size required.

No offense intended re the color. I just don't know any orange frogs, mine are all green. Wish I were more graphically inclined, but that kind of stuff just eludes me.