Imagine this...

You step outside and see things you’ve never noticed before—subtle signs of life, seasonal shifts, patterns in the land. You know what to do with your curiosity. You feel confident keeping a journal, identifying species, and noticing changes over time. You feel grounded. Inspired. Reconnected. And best of all—you know you’re building a nature practice that will stay with you.

Newbie Naturalists:

New to nature or interpreting nature? Great! The Nature Study Foundations course will give you what you need to get started and to become a lifelong naturalist.

Educators:

If you are a formal, homeschool, or nonformal teacher - Nature Study Foundations will enrich your curriculum. The course will provide you with the inspiration and experiences you need to create meaningful outdoor activities to share with your students of any age.

Therapists:

Nature Study Foundations is ideal for those who want to "prescribe" nature to patients, clients, or themselves. The approaches you learn for connecting with nature can be used to help improve their overall well-being.

Resources for curious minds, educators, homeschools, and therapists 

Mindful activities you can do alone or with others 

Self-paced online format for lifestyle flexibility 

19 engaging, easy-to-follow video lessons 

The Nature Study Blueprint, used for guidance & motivation 

Members-only Facebook Group 

13 proprietary frameworks to use right away 

55 digital downloads 

160-page Nature Study Journal, a resource to guide you outdoors

  40 Certified Professional Development Hours upon completion 

  Downloadable Certificate of Completion

BONUS: Register and receive a printable Seasonal Sit Spot Journal!

Testimonials:

"Nature Study Foundations helped me see the world differently. I thought I was already in tune with nature, but this course opened my eyes to patterns and connections I’d never noticed before. It’s not just learning—it’s remembering something I forgot I needed." -Lara M., 

"As a homeschooling parent, I’m always looking for ways to deepen our learning beyond textbooks. This course gave us structure and soul. My kids and I now have a shared language for our time outdoors, and it’s changed the way we do science and storytelling." - Patty J., homeschool parent

“This course spoke to the part of me that has always felt called to the natural world. Through quiet practices and grounded science, I found a rhythm again. I don’t just feel more connected—I feel more alive.” - Misty T., writer, artist, & nature spirituality seeker

Who am I?

Why I created this course:

I wanted to create a course to share my teaching methods—approaches and activities that have proven to be highly successful with students, educators, and community members. My goal is to make this course accessible to more people, helping them feel confident that their efforts to learn about nature are both effective and efficient in developing their naturalist intelligence. I believe that a deeper understanding of, and connection with, nature fosters a lifelong passion for nature study. The more we observe, the more we learn. The more we reflect on our experiences and connection with nature, the more we will care, the more confident we will feel, and the greater positive impact we can have in protecting the environment. 

Praise for nature study with Cindy ... "I love how she taught everything - easy, doable, and it really made sense. This is a course I can use." -Tommy L., student, father, environmentalist

What's inside the Nature Study Foundations course:

**Module 1: KNOWing Nature** 

In Module 1, you will explore the significance of nature study while building a foundational understanding of nature-based education. We will share proven nature study methods that will immediately enhance your naturalist intelligence. You will utilize The Nature Study Blueprint to guide and motivate you on your nature study journey. To keep you organized and engaged, you'll use the goals and calendars section along with your Daily Nature Toolbox within the Nature Study Journal. This will help you cultivate a new mindset within the Nature Study Habit Framework. Module 1 sets you on the path to becoming the naturalist you’ve always wanted to be.

**Module 2: ENJOYing Nature** 

Module 2 introduces field-tested activities designed to connect you with nature. You'll implement the Sit Spot Surveillance and Tree Chronicles to establish a nature routine and make meaningful observations of a specific location that can be applied anywhere. Additionally, you will deepen your understanding of nature by learning to interpret information using the Landscape Language framework. This module provides enjoyable and straightforward nature study activities that can bring you joy and enhance your naturalist intelligence.

**Module 3: THINKing Like a Naturalist** 

Module 3 offers a practical exploration of taxonomy, species understanding, and identification techniques. The unique Simplified Species collection includes valuable information, tips, and templates for identifying animals, plants, and fungi. This module equips you with skills to make observations that lead to further discoveries in nature.

**Module 4: CONNECTing Nature** 

In Module 4, you will discover the ecology of nature study to deepen your understanding of the world around you in simple terms. You will learn a comprehensive approach through the Complete Nature Connections Framework. The course concludes with naturalist applications that will set you on a lifelong path of nature discovery and fulfillment. In this final module, you will solidify your foundations in nature study by connecting your discoveries in nature to their place in the environment.

  40 Certified Professional Development Hours upon completion 

  Downloadable Certificate of Completion

Got questions? I've got answers!  FAQ's...

• How is this course any different than what I could find online for free or at a cheaper price?  Rather than a piecemeal approach to nature study, everything you need for best practices is found in one place. The creator of the course has the experience and credentials to teach nature study that others do not. She has decades of experience teaching nature study, holds a doctorate in environmental education, and has written a comprehensive textbook on the subject, A Practical Guide to Nature Study.

• Will I receive a certificate or PD hours for this course? Yes! Upon completing all course modules, you’ll receive a downloadable Certificate of Completion, accredited for 40 Certified Professional Development Hours (CPDs). It’s a great addition to your professional development portfolio or continuing education log.

• I don’t have the time or the money - is it worth it? You work through the course at your own pace and have indefinite access to the material - this makes it very affordable. If you are feeling the need to unplug and tune into your natural surroundings, then this is the investment you need to develop a meaningful connection to nature. Perhaps you feel a need to transform how you view nature outside where you live. If so, the information and activities in this course are a worthy investment of time and money. After implementing the framework and activities in the course, you will have the knowledge, appreciation, and motivation to spend quality time in nature and make a positive impact on the environment around you. The resulting transformation in your abilities to make observations and interpretations to better understand nature anywhere you are could be applied to improved quality time with family members, volunteer opportunities, and potential job scenarios.

• Would I learn anything new if I already know a lot about nature?  Although you may already know a considerable amount about nature, when was the last time you really took the time to study a place throughout the year and learned all you could? Sure, you may even know how to find that information, but think how your daily life could change if you were given direction in a way to develop a more deliberate and mindful habit of being a naturalist. You will learn unique ways to develop a personal nature study. This will result in a lifelong framework for understanding and appreciation of your surroundings. The information and activities in this course are also organized in a way that is easily transferable to other parts of your life. 
  

• What do I do if there is no wilderness area, green spaces, or parks near me?  Through the guided activities in this course, you will start to realize that nature is everywhere - regardless of where you live. Developing an awareness of nature will not only help you interpret your natural surroundings, but will also help you find beauty and excitement anywhere you go.

• What if I don’t like to be outside or know what to do when I’m out there?  You will discover that you can enjoy nature outdoors and inside your home. The course provides approaches to enjoying nature in a focused way that makes it seem like a game. You will develop direction when you’re outside based on your [new-found] interests.
  

• How can I ensure I follow through with the nature study practices after I finish the course?  The fact that you invest the money in the course will improve the chances of following through with completing it. The course is also organized in a way so you achieve mini-successes. We also have a members-only Facebook group where you will continue to have access as part of our nature study community.
  

If you've read this far...

You have two choices: 

You can keep spending time and energy trying to figure it all out on your own... 

Or—you can begin a clear, proven path toward a deeper connection with nature. One that builds your confidence, strengthens your naturalist skills, and helps you create a habit that lasts.

Now imagine where you could be just one month from now ...

• You feel grounded in a meaningful nature study practice. 
• You know exactly what to look for and how to engage with the land. 
• Your curiosity is alive again—and you’re inspired, not overwhelmed. 
• You’re observing more, journaling with confidence, and seeing the world through new eyes. 
• You’re ready to raise your naturalist intelligence. You’re ready for Nature Study Foundations.