Get outside and learn about nature in your neighborhood with this app
-
Click here to listen to this article - Share via
See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred
This activity is part of “A Guide to Protect Our Planet” from Reading by 9, the L.A. Times youth literacy initiative.
Explore local nature
Find plants and flowers in your area — around the block, in your neighborhood park, or even at school.
As we make efforts, big or small, to better the environment around us, understanding and appreciating it leads to meaningful learning. Stepping into the shoes of a botanist is an opportunity for young learners to examine the components of nature right outside the classroom door!
What you’ll need
- Notepad
- Pen or pencil
- Smartphone camera (with adult supervision)
- Lots of curiosity!
What to do
- Take a look at the plants around, focus on one that catches your eye.
- On your notepad, write down what you see (colors, height, and more) and questions you have, like “how can tell if it is a California native plant?”
- Snap photos to upload to the iNaturalist app and learn more about the plants outside your door!
Download the app for Android or iOS.
Learn more about nature in your neighborhood by visiting the California Native Plant Society website.
