Do you know how to read landscape ecology? If not, then you’re missing one of the most important information sources for making fast & accurate predictions outdoors. And if you do, then you’re probably always looking to increase your knowledge because you know how powerful it is. Here’s why… One of the biggest blindspots I notice in most wildlife trackers & naturalists is that they … [Read more...] about Easy Landscape Ecology Secrets For Backyard Naturalists
Naturalist Training Articles
A Story About Juvenile Raven Vocalizations And Behavior
Juvenile Ravens have a crazy screaming call they often make during their fledgling stage. If you’ve ever heard this bizarre sound coming from the woods, you might be wondering why they make so much noise. So I’ve created this video to share the fascinating story behind Juvenile Ravens and their bizarre screaming calls! Why Is That Raven Screaming From The Forest? I often get … [Read more...] about A Story About Juvenile Raven Vocalizations And Behavior
North American Robin: Essential Facts For Applied Alarm Behaviour
"Tut, Tut, Tut!" Who is that bird? It's the North American Robin! Many people will recognize the familiar red breast of a neighbourhood robin feeding on the lawn. It might be easy to pass this bird by without stopping because it's so common and familiar. But that would be a mistake... Did you realize this very common and abundant bird is one of the most important birds for anyone … [Read more...] about North American Robin: Essential Facts For Applied Alarm Behaviour
How To Be A Naturalist The Easy Way
Here's a simple promise... Look outside your front door and you will quickly discover a world of adventure, excitement, inspiration and discovery. For thousands of years people have studied this incredible sphere of life, death and cycles of organic and inorganic energy, yet we have only barely scratched the surface of everything there is to learn. Most of the world's wisest scientists, … [Read more...] about How To Be A Naturalist The Easy Way
How Nature Based Education Can Inspire Brilliant Minds
Have you ever looked at the world and wondered whether there's a better way to do things? I was in my teens when I first started to question whether my education was actually going to help me in the future. I was a smart kid but I was constantly bored and my teachers sometimes tried to label me as ADD. As I looked deeper into the issue I realized that the thing missing from my school experience … [Read more...] about How Nature Based Education Can Inspire Brilliant Minds
5 Tips For When You Need Help Identifying A Plant
Do you ever wish you knew more about plants? Plants are a great way to explore nature. They make excellent wild food and can do interesting things such as warn you about upcoming weather. But how can you learn to identify them? Sometimes people want me to help identify a plant. My first step is always to have them describe what they saw. It's important to have some basic details in order to … [Read more...] about 5 Tips For When You Need Help Identifying A Plant
8 Amazing Sensory Awareness Exercises
The age of electronics has brought incredible access to information and technology, but at what cost? I realized at age 17 that with all the formal "education" I received in school, no one ever taught me how to use my five senses to do real things in the world. It's one of the big reasons I first got interested in traditional skills of survival, wildlife tracking, harvesting edible plants, aidless … [Read more...] about 8 Amazing Sensory Awareness Exercises
How To Keep A Nature Journal (EASY)
Are you excited to open your eyes to the incredible world of plants, trees & birds living around you? That's exactly what I wanted ten years ago when I started my quest towards exploring & reading the patterns of nature on a very deep level. Luckily I had an easy tool to help me quickly unravel the mysteries of local forests, fields & wildlife hotspots. Can you guess what it … [Read more...] about How To Keep A Nature Journal (EASY)
Springtime Celebration Live Call Recording
How To Forage For Spring Edibles, Interpret The Behaviour and Vocalizations of Spring Birds, And Track The Activities Of Local Wildlife! https://youtu.be/6kS1NQ5vQPw Download mp3 Presentation Transcript: Hey everybody it’s Brian Mertins and welcome to our springtime celebration live call. This is great. I’m excited to spend this time with you today talking about some of the interesting things … [Read more...] about Springtime Celebration Live Call Recording
What Can Dandelions Be Used For?
I remember when I first discovered that dandelion isn't just some useless yellow flower that grows in fields and lawns. As a child, I went to a local Waldorf school where we were taught to respect nature (and how to make dandelion crowns). But it wasn't until later in my teen years when I realized that dandelions also have amazing edible & medicinal qualities. Many herbal teachers will tell … [Read more...] about What Can Dandelions Be Used For?