Tools, projects and other resources that inspire us to connect with the natural world

This is a collection of books, organisations and tools that inspire us to connect with plants and wildlife. We hope this will provide a useful guide that supports you to feel closer to the natural world around you.

BOOKS

Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry, edited by Camille T Dungy

Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer

Diary of a Young Naturalist, Dara McAnulty

Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake

Of Sea, Elizabeth-Jane Burnett

Into the Forest, Dr Qing Li

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate, Peter Wohlleben

The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature, J. Drew Lanham

The Lost Words, Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane

Women on Nature, Katharine Norbury

For Children

Grow, Forage and Make: Fun things to do with plants, Alys Fowler

Nature Trail, Benjamin Zephaniah

Over and Under the Pond, Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal

IDENTIFYING PLANTS & WILDLIFE

Free Apps - PictureThis, PlantSnap, Woodland Trust Tree Identification App, Flora incognita

Field Studies Council Identification Guides for wildlife and plants

Collins Wild Flower Guide - Widely available from book shops

RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds - Available at rspb.org

Bug Life Hosts a great bug directory featuring facts and stories of UK invertebrates

Woodland Trust British Trees

Woodland Trust Foraging Guide

Wildflower finder

ORGANISATIONS, PROJECTS & GROUPS

Capital Growth London’s food growing network. You can use their map to find your local community garden or growing space

Forest School A child-centred inspirational learning process. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Flock Together Birdwatching Collective for People of Colour

May Project Gardens Permaculture led grassroots organisations helping people re-connect with nature for personal, social and economic transformation

More Than Weeds A project aimed at changing our perception of urban plants growing on walls, pavement or tree pits.

POC in Nature Facebook Group A private facebook group for people of colour who are interested in exploring the healing power of nature and diversifying environmental movements.

Queer Botany A project that emerged from the theoretical lens of queer ecology. They run the Queer Botany Society and organise events like queer botanical drawing classes and plant tours.

Wild in the City Providing experiences in woodland living skills, natural history and eco-therapy for children and adults in London and beyond

Black Girls Hike Providing a safe space for Black women to explore the outdoors, hosting nationwide group hikes, outdoor activity days and training events.