What is a Naturalist anyway?

 So let's start with defining what I mean by "a naturalist."  The term is not to be confused with a "naturist" who likes to run around with no clothes on.  I mean, if this is how you want to pursue the study of nature, by all means, please do so and I'll invest in the mosquito repellent industry!

Simply put, a naturalist is one who studies nature.  Some Google searches will take you to definitions that talk about degree requirements for becoming a professional naturalist.  This is fine too, although most of us seasoned adults have chosen our respective careers and aren't going back to school any time soon.  If you should decide on a mid-life career change after reading this blog, again, more power to you!  Some younger people who are just starting may wish to focus their academics on environmental sciences, and that would be awesome.

People like you and me are either amateur naturalists, or in my case, accidental naturalists (I made that last part up; don't Google it).  Don't be misled by the term "amateur," because a lot of science today is performed by citizen scientists.  Should you decide to go that route, I applaud you for your efforts, and I'll see you out there someday! But meanwile, many of us go to nature to seek peace and to recharge our batteries.  You can do this, and do it with a purpose.

Skeeter the legendary accidental naturalist

So what does an amateur naturalist do?  First and foremost, we spend time observing nature.  Genrally speaking, we will also record our findings.  With these two basic ideas in mind, there are limitless options on how you can do these things, based on your level of curiosity and skills.  For example:

• You could photograph wildflowers
• You could go birdhunting
• You could start an artistic nature journal
• You could go hiking and log what species you see
• You could plant a butterfly garden
• You could become a rockhound
• You can make dioramas with moss and plastic dinosaurs!
• Entomology is always fun, photo-wise or mounting-wise
• Amateur skywatching is never out of the question...

You get the idea...

There are many ways to have fun as a naturalist.

What kind of equipment do you need?  At a bare minimum, you need your eyes and ears.  That's it.  But gear sometimes makes a hobby more fun.  What you'll need depends on what you want to do.  For those looking for a more definitive list, I'll give you my own list of things I take with me into the field on any given day:

• A camera (usually my cell phone)
• A notebook and pencil
• A field guide or two
• A canteen of water
• A snack
• Insect repellant
• Extra socks
• A bag or rucksack to put it all in
• And an awesome hat (on my head)

I mean, you've gotta have a really cool hat.

What's in your bag?  And how cool is your hat?

Getting started is easy.  To paraphrase what I saw on another site earlier... start now by looking out your window.  BOOM, you're a naturalist.