A field naturalist is someone who studies the environment, the natural world, and the species and ecosystems that exist within it. He or she then goes on to teach others about this information. A field naturalist, for example, might lead groups of people on nature walks or hikes, sharing information about the various plants and animals they encounter. This person has a lot of experience identifying different things in nature and uses that knowledge to solve environmental problems. A naturalist is considered by some to be a type of conservationist, and a naturalist will frequently collaborate with other conservationists or natural resource managers to propose solutions to environmental problems.
A field naturalist may specialize in one aspect of the environment over another. For example, they may study insects, wildlife, or plants in greater depth than other aspects of the environment. They may conduct additional research in this area of expertise in order to investigate current environmental issues and, ideally, assist in the development of solutions. Many people who want to work as field naturalists will first get a master’s degree in the field, and it is during this time that they will decide on specialties or areas in which they want to conduct additional research, usually for a thesis project.
However, not all field naturalists hold a master’s degree. Some of them only have bachelor’s degrees, while others may not have attended college at all and have learned their skills through self-study, familial or cultural experiences. This knowledge can be quite extensive, especially if someone has lived in a particular area for a long time, and it can provide information about how certain environments have changed over time.
A field naturalist is a type of environmental educator who shares information with people primarily through hands-on learning experiences in the field. This type of environmental education should, in theory, inspire people to care for the natural world and recognize the interconnectedness of ecosystems. Field naturalists may also visit schools or other community events to share educational information about the region or to address specific questions or problems that may be present. Becoming a field naturalist is just one of many options for people interested in environmental problem solving and environmental education, but it appeals to people because it involves working outside on a regular basis and directly interacting with nature, as opposed to other specialists who spend more time in laboratories or academic settings.