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Nature Lover

Introduction

Reconnecting with nature is essential, not just for the planet, but for our own well-being. Studies show that spending time outdoors reduces stress, boosts mood, and fosters a sense of connection with the world around us. Whether it's a walk through a local park or simply sitting and observing wildlife, immersing ourselves in nature provides benefits for both body and mind. Learn more about how reconnecting with nature is beneficial:

How it helps

Beyond the personal benefits, your time spent in nature can contribute to something larger. By recording your species observations on iNaturalist, you’re helping scientists, conservationists, and organizations like Camp Monarch track biodiversity and understand how ecosystems are changing. With over 150 million observations globally, iNaturalist is a major source of biodiversity data used in over 4,000 scientific papers. This data is key for understanding the effects of climate change, species migration, and habitat loss. Learn more about why recording observations is important:

Key Indicator and Keystone Species

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)The monarch butterfly or simply monarch (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae) in the family Nymphalidae. Other common names depending on region include milkweed, common tiger, wanderer, and black veined brown. It may be the most familiar North American butterfly, and is considered an iconic pollinator species. Its wings feature an easily recognizable black, orange, and white pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cm (3 1⁄2– (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_butterfly, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) fam-esquivel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Fireflies (Family Lampyridae)The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a 'cold light', with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY))

Lady Beetles (Family Coccinellidae)Coccinellidae (/ˌkɒksɪˈnɛlɪdiː/) is a widespread family of small beetles ranging from 0.8 to 18 mm (0.03 to 0.71 inches). (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Ryosuke Kuwahara, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ryosuke Kuwahara)

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Order Odonata)Odonata is an order of carnivorous insects, encompassing the dragonflies (Anisoptera) and the damselflies (Zygoptera). The Odonata form a clade, which has existed since the Triassic. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odonata, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley)

Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)The gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) is a species of small arboreal frog native to much of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_tree_frog, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Todd Pierson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))

American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)The American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is a common species of toad found throughout Canada and the eastern United States. It is divided into three subspecies: the eastern American toad (A. a. americanus), the dwarf American toad (A. a. charlesmithi) and the rare Hudson Bay toad (A. a. copei). Recent taxonomic treatments place this species in the genus Anaxyrus instead of Bufo. (Source: Wikipedia, 'American toad', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_toad, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Gerry Salmon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gerry Salmon)

Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)The eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) is a small thrush found in open woodlands, farmlands, and orchards. It is the state bird of Missouri and New York. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_bluebird, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Michael Gallo, all rights reserved, uploaded by Michael Gallo)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a species of hummingbird that generally spends the winter in Central America, Mexico, and Florida, and migrates to Canada and other parts of Eastern North America for the summer to breed. It is by far the most common hummingbird seen east of the Mississippi River in North America. (Source: Wikipedia, 'Ruby-throated hummingbird', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruby-throated_hummingbird, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Kent Ross, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kent Ross)

Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a North American bird in the genus Cardinalis; it is also known colloquially as the redbird or common cardinal. It can be found in southern Canada, through the eastern United States from Maine to Texas and south through Mexico. Its habitat includes woodlands, gardens, shrublands, wetlands. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_cardinal, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Laura Keene, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Laura Keene)

American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)The American goldfinch (Spinus tristis) is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_goldfinch, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Glenn Berry)

Box Turtles (Genus Terrapene)Box turtles are North American turtles of the genus Terrapene. Although box turtles are superficially similar to tortoises in terrestrial habits and overall appearance, they are actually members of the American pond turtle family (Emydidae). The twelve taxa which are distinguished in the genus are distributed over four species. They are largely characterized by having a domed shell, which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to close its shell tightly to escape predat (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_turtle, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Ryan Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ryan Jones)

Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)The (American) five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is a species of lizard endemic to North America. It is one of the most common lizards in the eastern U.S. and one of the seven native species of lizards in Canada. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plestiodon_fasciatus, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Andrew Hoffman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND))

Eastern Garter Snake (Subspecies Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)The eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) is a medium-sized snake that is indigenous to North America. (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_garter_snake, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Jonathan Gagnon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jonathan Gagnon)

Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus)The little brown bat (sometimes called little brown myotis) (Myotis lucifugus) is a species of the genus Myotis (mouse-eared bats), one of the most common bats of North America. It has been a model organism for the study of bats (chiropterology). (Source: Wikipedia, '', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_brown_bat, CC BY-SA 3.0 . Photo: (c) Jason Headley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jason Headley)

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