If you live in North, Central, or South America, perhaps you’ve had the pleasure of meeting a hummingbird in some outdoor space. These energetic, aggressive, often brilliantly colored birds are a pleasure to watch. Additionally, they’re a welcome sign that winter is over in colder climates. Hummingbirds are a real capstone on any wildlife garden, and you can attract them …
A beginner naturalists’ guide to taxonomy
One of the most delightful parts of learning about nature is learning to identify the species that you come across. Whether you’re birdwatching or neat bugs on a hiking trip, Earth’s biodiversity is an endless sort of wonder. However, it can also be a little overwhelming. Scientists organize knowledge of different species and their relations to one another in a …
What is a sit spot?
If you’ve been listening to nature podcasts or reading about nature and health, maybe you’ve heard about the sit spot. This easy nature activity is quickly gaining popularity among nature lovers and wellness practitioners. Furthermore, according to many of my mentors, sit spots are a key skill for Beginner Naturalists. In this Outdoor Tips post, I’ll explain how sit spots …
8 reasons why you should start birdwatching
If you’re an outdoor adventurer or nature lover, finding new ways to connect with nature can add a new dimension to your experiences. Birdwatching is an increasingly popular pastime among young people around the world. In this post, I’ll give you eight reasons why you should start birdwatching, from health benefits to better travel. Let’s dig in with this Birdwatching …
How to detect spongy moths in your yard
Invasive species are a problem in natural areas just about anywhere on Earth. Some, like spongy moths (Lymantria dispar), can damage plants on your property and be a major nuisance. If you live in the Northeastern U.S., you might have problems with this plant. But how do you detect spongy moths? In this Outdoor Tips post, I’ll guide you through …
The 5 Best Field Guides for the Birds of North America
One of the most exciting things for a naturalist is running into new and unfamiliar species. This makes field guides an essential part of any nature-lovers go-bag for outdoor adventures. Field guides can help you sleuth out and identify new encounters using field marks and other cues. In this Birdwatching Basics post, I’ll review my top 5 guides to the …
Green non-profits to support on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a chance to step outside of the consumerist mayhem of the holidays and give something back to the world. If you’re a nature lover, consider supporting an environmental NGO (non-governmental organization). Many NGO’s are doing fantastic and important work to protect the outdoors all over the world. In this post, I’ll share my top list of green …
12 Nature Podcasts you should be following
Whether you’re on the road or at the gym, podcasts are a great way to keep your brain active and entertained. Podcasts are a great way to learn about new topics while you’re on the fly. In this Outdoor Tips post, I’ll tell you about 12 nature podcasts that should absolutely be in your queue. Be sure to check out …