Why the world needs natural history: Attentiveness to nature as an integrative basis for earth stewardship

Background/Question/Methods and Results/Conclusions

Natural history—the practice of intentional, focused attentiveness to nature, guided by honesty and accuracy—is of fundamental importance in developing a healthy human relationship with nature, and thus should be considered a fundamental component of any strategy for earth stewardship.  Natural history benefits individuals by fostering emotional health, joy, and ecological identity. It benefits society by fostering compassion, humility, broader perspective on human activities.  Moreover, natural history grounds scientific research in local landscape particulars and informs political discourse. An interdisciplinary approach to natural history can serve as the integrative basis for a civil society and for a liberal education, ranging from pre-K through university, as well as outside formal classrooms.  Natural history provides a positive, hopeful basis for ecological stewardship.