How do I become an amateur naturalist?

Question

I love nature and I know a little about it, but I'd love to know a whole lot more. Where do I begin? I'm mostly interested in forests. I'm currently finishing up my biology major, but I don't feel like I have enough practical, working knowledge of what's going on in the nature around me.

Answer 1

You don't want to be a naturalist, you want to be a Ranger.  There's a big difference.  For instance, the soap and shampoo you washed with today, throw it and your deodorant out.  Don't buy any razors to shave with, you're not going to shave any more.  All your clothing needs to be made from 100% cotton or hemp, and it is preferred that you make your own.  That's just scratching the surface.

Answer 2

I feel for becoming a naturalist does not have to stop using value added products for better life.

A naturalist is someone who can relate natural resources (biotic & abiotic) with the processes operating in this unique planet and if possible beyond.

thnks

Answer 3

Hi,

I found some answers on eNaturalist. The site offers tips on what naturalists do as well as how to become one.

A naturalists "responsibilities may...include writing, public speaking, school education programs, animal care, exhibit design, even trail maintenance." The site also notes that there are plenty of career opportunities.

Furthermore, a college degree is important and a masters degree will help (but it isn't vital).  Naturalists should be well versed in biology, ornithology, herpetology, entomology, botany, and ecology. You don't have to have them all mastered, but you should know what you're talking about.

For more on how to become a naturalist, I recommend reading from "The American Naturalist," a journal from the University of Chicago.   You can also try the "ask a naturalist" link (third URL below).

good luck!

Mike

Answer 4

How do you become physically involved with nature around you without ruining the very thing you started out being interested in?

This is the problem with studying for a career in an environmentally based subject. You either end up as a guide, helping the public trash more nature, involved in eco tourism - do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages - or end up indoors in a lab?

You love forests? Plant a wood around your home. Learn about managing these self planted woods to meet human needs on the smallest amount of land possible. Learn how to coppice, make willow reed beds, furniture, manage, thin, graft fruit and nut trees. That is, learn about Permaculture - permanent agriculture, planted with minimum effort as an investment for future generations, whilst importantly taking a yield.

Learn about Permaculture, plant your own mixed native tree woods and stay out of natural forests and encourage others to do the same.

Answer 5

To start with, spread some seeds, cereals, wheat, etc., on the roof top, pitch a convenient small tent with a hole to watch the birds, a binacular, camera and u will be having lots of fun. Then start listing them, their biological names, habits etc.

Answer 6

By "amateur naturalist" I assume you simply have an interest in nature, and would like to develop that interest rather than find a way to get paid doing it. If it that is the case, there is no better way to learn about your environment than getting out into the field and learning to recognize the species that make up the flora and fauna in your area. It is amazing how rapidly one's knowledge can progress by simply locating an unfamiliar species and going home and devoting some time to learning about it. Whether it be a tree, flower, frog, bird, insect, etc. the connections you can make to other areas of natural history are extraordinary when you do some digging. Go out there, and find something that fascinates you. It is undoubtedly out there, and when you find it it may unlock a world that changes how you perceive the natural world.

Answer 7

Start a nature journal.  You can make one or buy them, doesn't matter.  Sit in your yard, at the park, in any open space area, and watch for 20 minutes, 30 minutes, even an hour, and write down basic conditions (how warm, cloudy, misty, etc.) but also what you see and where.  Make sketches.  Take photos.  By watching nature at work and at play you learn an incredible amount.

And I'd recommend reading the books of E.O. Wilson, if you haven't already, and getting a couple of field guides.  Good local ones, preferably, as they contain more of the species found in your area.

Finally, volunteer.  I am manning a booth tomorrow at our coastal cleanup day, where thousands turn out throughout the state and pick up trash from the coast and waterways.  Many are repeat volunteers, almost all have fun and learn a lot.  And I enjoy meeting with them and answering their questions.  Some of the stuff they find is pretty nasty -- someone won $500 for finding Jack the Rat is his little rat coffin a few years back -- but some is kind of cool.  

A lot of great jobs in your field.  Good luck to you on becoming an amateur naturalist, and a working biologist.

Answer 8

Start a forest  bio inventory. Take pictures and start your own photo album. Take detailed notes .  for intance there is a patch of blackberryes this is the only place you can find harvester spiders. Masurements / Dates / Time of day / weather / Canapy / old or new grouth / Rock out croping / On - off trail / ECT...  You can inventory a trail if there is one near you. I love trails.

You will find things that will interest you and from there you can follow your dream

Happy Caving Carroll

Answer 9

By asking the question, you are already a amateur.  Go for it.

Answer 10

In Missouri you could contact the Department of natural resources (DNR)  they have links to all sorts of volunteer and community groups, from archeologists to rivers and streams.  There's enough for every one!