Here are a few resources to explore that can help you become a bit more engaged in nature. While HelenaOutdoor is focused on the free or nearly free thinsg you can do in the area, some folks might be interested in Helena’s history, or even the geology of the area. There are lots of resources available.
Montana eBird
eBird is an app, a website, and a community of devoted birders. As an eBird member, you can participate in citizen science by recording your avian observations anywhere in the world. eBird is a free app.
Merlin Bird ID
Merlin is a free app that allows you to use your phone to identify bird sounds or pictures. There is also a very simple, step-by-step identification process to help you home-in on what bird you are looking at.
Learn more about Merlin Bird ID
Birda
Birda is a great idea. It’s a birding app that connects curious people within a nature-centric, online community. Learning more about the natural world and sharing your findings with a community of likeminded folks is a really good place to start help folks value the biodiversity that we have. And begin to protect it, too.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a free app, a website, and a community of naturalists who share discoveries and support each other if they need support identifying organisms.
Montana Field Guide
The Montana Field Guide, part of the Montana Natural Heritage Program is the go to source for determining what plant, animal, or insect you have found. This is an amazing zero-cost resource.
Learn more about the Montana Field Guide
PlantSnap
PlantSnap can help you to start the ID process of any new plant that you come across. PlantSnap usually gets very close to the genus and species, then the Montana Field Guide can help you finalize the ID.
Organizations In Helena supporting Nature
U.S. Forest Service- Helena/Lewis and Clark National Forest
Montana Wilderness Association
Add wildflower bingo cards download?
“Time spent amongst the trees is never wasted time”
Katrina Mayer
