Monthly study group for the book "The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go" by Rebecca Lexa
Welcome to the monthly online study group for [The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go](https://www.theeverydaynaturalist.com/) by Rebecca Lexa (that's me!) Each month we will explore a chapter (or occasionally more) of this beginner's guide to nature identification. No experience is required; just make sure you read the relevant chapter(s) before each month's meeting, and bring any questions or insights you may have about the material. If you don't already have a copy of the book, [you can order a signed copy directly from me here on my website](https://www.theeverydaynaturalist.com/), or ask your favorite bookstore to order it if they don't already have it in stock.
Meetings will be held via Zoom; the link will be sent to you about 48 hours before the meeting begins. If you are unable to make it to the live meeting, all registered participants will receive a link to the recording afterward.
April's meeting will cover the third chapter of The Everyday Naturalist. Here are some topics and questions to think about as you're reading the material:
- What is your current experience level with nature identification? Are there any groups of organisms that you feel especially comfortable with identifying, or some that you feel are a bigger challenge for you? What tools have you already used, such as field guides or binoculars? Where do you feel you might need more help or resources?
- We live in an age where there’s an app for (almost) anything. Why don’t we just take a picture with an app, let it tell us what it thinks we saw, and be content with that?
- Have you used many field guides? Are there any that you’ve found to be especially helpful, and are there particular reasons why? Let’s take a look at a few from my collection that I especially like, and why I like them!
- Have you ever tried dichotomous keys? If so, what did you think of the ones you used? If they aren’t to your liking, how might you use other resources to help firm up your identifications without them?
- How can you determine the reliability of a website or other online source? What are some of the pitfalls of these sources, as well as their strengths?
- This chapter included a list of common tools everyday naturalists might use in observing and identifying living beings. Are there any you already use, or might want to try out? Do you have any others that you’ve found to be useful?
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