Nature-Study puts "the pupil in a sympathetic attitude toward nature for the purpose of increasing joy of living..." and, "to enable every person to live a richer life."

- Liberty Hyde Bailey

WHAT IS NATURE-STUDY? Growing-up on a Michigan farm during the end of the 19th century, Liberty Hyde Bailey had a first-hand experience of nature's ability to teach scientific observation and instill a personal appreciation and an ethic of care for the landscape. Rooted in this background, Bailey along with associates at Cornell University became key figures in the founding of the Nature-Study Movement. Its aim brought children out of the classroom and into the outdoors for mini nature lessons through informal observation. Still in use today, it professes no standardization or science but only for the student to "establish a living sympathy with everything that is."

NATURE STUDY IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD! A series of nature-study leaflets for educators was published through the College of Agriculture at Cornell between 1896-1904, many authored by Bailey. These mini lessons from the Cornell Nature-Study Leaflets are timeless and can be used today for the classroom or even in your own backyard.

Download PDF > What is Nature-Study? , Leaflet #1, by L.H. Bailey

Download PDF > The Nature-Study Movement , Leaflet #2, by L.H. Bailey

Download PDF > Suggestions For Nature-Study Work , Leaflet #5, by Anna Botsford Comstock

Download PDF > The Birds and I , Leaflet #22, by L.H. Bailey

Download PDF > A Study of a Tree , Leaflet #47, by Anna Botsford Comstock

Download PDF > The Dandelion , Leaflet #58, by Alice McCloskey and L.H. Bailey

Related Links

> American Nature Study Society : Founded in 1908, the ANSS promotes effective education and environmental literacy through Nature Study, building bridges between the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

> Children and Nature Network: Created to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature.  

> Ecology Society of America Educator Resources:  Over 360 ecologists, educators, managers and administrators actively engaged in undergraduate, graduate, K-12 and teacher education, as well as community and public outreach programs and scholarly research in ecology education. 

> The PEEP and the Big Wide World Explorer's Guide: Designed for early childhood classrooms, invites children and teachers to explore science (shadows, water and plants) in the world around them.

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