Our Primary Goals Are To:

• Articulate and promote the value of natural history
• Promote the individual and collective practice of natural history

Toward These Ends We:

• Encourage integration among the sciences, arts, humanities, and education
• Advocate for support of natural history in all its forms, including discovery science, literary and visual arts, and field education
• Building and supporting an inclusive, collaborative community of naturalists
• Promote formal and informal natural history learning opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and settings

Projects

The Natural Histories Project

Listen to conversations on the rebirth of natural history recorded during four Natural History Initiative workshops held in 2011. Explore almost 100 audio excerpts by theme, workshop, or participant, and then join the discussion.

Gatherings and Public Events

Facilitating the gathering of naturalists, educators, writers, artists and scientists of all ages to share experiences and learn from each other—at local, bioregional and national locations. Our most recent series of gatherings is part of a collaborative effort called The Natural History Initiative. We are currently working on a series of regional gatherings for 2012, the High Sierra Natural History Celebration August 10-12 and a gathering at Lake Champlain, Vermont, August 24-26. 

Supporting Education

Collect and disseminate natural history curricula, experience, and expertise by linking practitioners and through collaborations and partner organizations.

Natural History Definitions Projects

Collecting, analyzing, critiquing, expanding, and sharing the many definitions that showcase the rich diversity of approaches to natural history.

The Touchstones Project

Developing a collaborative network of field stations and centers to promote and support the integration of literary, artistic, and scientific approaches to natural history.

Natural History in the Information Age

Envisioning the 21st century naturalist, while applying novel tools and techniques to integrate and infuse the practice of natural history in the Information Age.

Promoting the Academic Study of Natural History

Promoting incentive structures that support natural history studies at colleges and universities.

Outreach and Advocacy

Presenting the diverse faces and voices of natural history – articulating and promoting the value of natural history for diverse constituencies, including people of all ages, races, cultural, and ethnic groups.

Natural History Underground

Connecting natural history with the organic agricultural and food justice movements.