2026 Chapter Theme

“The Naturalist’s Toolkit”

“The Naturalist’s Toolkit” theme will help give our chapter a shared focus for 2026. We hope to create a more connected and intentional experience for all members with a theme that will be used as a guide for planning our chapter meeting topics and beyond. We hope this theme can help spark ideas, encourage participation, and prompt collaboration by providing a springboard from which we can delve into the topics in a cohesive, albeit interesting way. 

Our topics will be centered around the tools we use, skills we develop, knowledge we build upon, and equipment on which we rely as naturalists. Our goal is for this theme to celebrate growth and practical capability by helping members feel confident and equipped in the field and community by providing ways to explore our understanding and share with others. 

Theme highlights (these are examples, actual program topics may be different): 

Skills- 

actions we perform as naturalists

 Identification (plants, birds, trees, fungi, etc)

 Nature journaling (recording observations, sketches, notes)

 Recognizing ecological patterns

 Reading tracks and signs

Knowledge- 

foundation that informs our actions as naturalists

 Local ecological challenges and stewardship needs

 Conservation principles and restoration practices

 Wildlife needs and behavior

Tools & technology- 

resources that help us expand our knowledge and skills

 Field guides

 Apps

 Gear and equipment essentials and how to use 

Practices- 

intentional ways we apply our skills and knowledge into meaningful action

 Citizen science projects 

 Public outreach (interpretation, building awareness) 

 Ethical engagement and land stewardship (minimizing disturbance, leaving no trace, appropriate harvesting)