Nature Resources

Explores tools, groups, and books to help you explore, learn, and stay connected to the natural world.

🌿 Favorite Nature Apps

Explore tools that make it easy (and fun!) to connect with nature — from identifying species to finding trails.

iNaturalist
Join a global community of naturalists! Record observations of plants, animals, and fungi, get identifications from experts, and contribute to citizen science.
🔗 iNaturalist.org

Merlin Bird ID
Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this free app helps you identify birds by sight or sound in seconds. Perfect for both beginners and birding enthusiasts!
🔗 Merlin Bird ID

Seek by iNaturalist
Point your phone’s camera at plants or animals, and Seek instantly identifies them — a fun, educational tool for all ages.
🔗 Seek App

Wildflowers of the Santa Monica Mountains
A field guide app to help you identify wildflowers found throughout California’s central and southern coast.
🔗 Wildflowers App

OuterSpatial
Official California State Parks app — discover parks, trails, and guided activities across the state. Great for planning weekend adventures!
🔗 OuterSpatial

🥾 Local Hiking & Nature Groups

CA Central Coast Weekend Hikers and Beyond
Friendly, active group that hosts regular weekend hikes throughout the Central Coast.
🔗 Meetup Link

SLO County Hikers
A community for hikers of all levels. Explore local trails with others who share a love for the outdoors.
🔗 Meetup Link

SLO Sierra Club
Local chapter of the Sierra Club offering hikes, conservation efforts, and environmental advocacy events.
🔗 Meetup Link

SLO Friends and Fellowship (20s to 40s)
A welcoming social group that includes hiking, volunteering, and community-building activities.
🔗 Meetup Link

📚 Recommended Reading

A curated collection of books to deepen your connection to nature — from local field guides to inspiring reflections on the natural world.

📖 The California Naturalist Handbook
Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stanger Edelman, and Adina Merenlender
The essential guide for anyone interested in understanding California’s diverse ecosystems. A foundational resource for Certified California Naturalists — blending science, stewardship, and wonder.

📖 Day Hikes Around San Luis Obispo: 156 Great Hikes
Robert Stone
A must-have for Central Coast explorers! Clear directions, maps, and descriptions of local trails — from coastal bluffs to oak woodlands — perfect for all levels.

📖 Wildflowers of San Luis Obispo, California
David J. Keil & John McCabe
A colorful and detailed guide to local blooms. Great for spring hikes or anyone curious about the incredible biodiversity in our region.

📖 Secrets of the Oak Woodlands: Plants and Animals among California’s Oaks
Kate Marianchild
A beautifully written deep dive into the fascinating world of California’s oak ecosystems — full of insights on the interconnected lives of the species that depend on them.

📖 Birdsong: A Natural History
Don Stap
An immersive exploration of the hidden life of birds and their songs — blending natural history, field research, and lyrical storytelling for anyone who wants to listen a little closer on their next walk in the woods.

📖 Forest Bathing: Rediscovering Nature’s Healing Power
Amos Clifford
Written by the founder of the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, this gentle guide introduces the practice of shinrin-yoku — slowing down, opening your senses, and allowing nature to restore body and mind.

📖 Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest
Suzanne Simard
A groundbreaking memoir from the scientist who revealed how trees communicate underground. A powerful story about resilience, connection, and the intelligence of nature.

📖 All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms
David Arora
Charming, quirky, and incredibly informative — a pocket-sized favorite among mushroom enthusiasts, packed with field notes, humor, and an infectious love of fungi.

📖 Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder
Richard Louv
A modern classic that helped ignite a global movement reconnecting children with nature. Explores how outdoor experiences foster creativity, confidence, and mental health.

📖 Oaks of California
Bruce M. Pavlik, Pamela C. Muick, and Sharon Johnson
An ode to one of California’s most iconic and ecologically important trees. Beautiful photography, rich natural history, and guidance on conservation and restoration.

📖 A Field Guide to Nature Meditation: 52 Mindfulness Practices for Joy, Wisdom, and Wonder in the Natural World
Mark Coleman
Blending mindfulness and ecology, Coleman offers practical meditations for tuning into the rhythms, beauty, and quiet wisdom of the natural world — perfect for deepening your nature connection.

✨ Available through local bookstores, libraries, and online retailers — support local when you can!