AB Comstock

Comstock, Anna Botsford 1854–1930 First woman professor at Cornell University, leader of the nature-study movement, author and/or illustrator of many natural science books.  Born Anna Botsford on September 1, 1854, on the family farm near Otto, in Cattaraugus County, New York; died on August 24, 1930, at her home in Ithaca, New York; attended a rural elementary schoolhouse, a “select” high school in … Read More

Teaching Tips

Teaching Tips were/are 1- to 3-page ‘lesson plans’ focused on helping teachers and students learn about the natural world. ANSS’ Tips were first published in the Society’s Newsletters but also found their way into many of the Nature Study Journals. Topics were as widespread and as varied as all the associated fields of nature-study and environmental education from Acid Rain … Read More

American Nature Study Society Archive

The American Nature Study Society Archive Project The nature study movement was a popular education movement in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nature Study attempted to reconcile scientific investigation with personal, spiritual experiences gained from interaction with the natural world. Led by progressive educators and naturalists such as Anna Botsford Comstock, Liberty Hyde Bailey, and Louis … Read More

Nature Study Journals

Nature Study Journals (publications included here from 1964-2004), in 3-4 annually themed issues contained in-depth articles focused on nature study, nature education, environmental education, trends, issues, resources, opportunities and more all written and compiled by its members, guest writers and guest editors such as; L H Bailey, Anna Botsford Comstock, E L Palmer, Cap’n Bill Vinal, Roger Tory Peterson, Edwin … Read More

Brief History of the American Nature Study Society

The American Nature Study Society (ANSS), founded in 1908, is America’s oldest organization for environment ….’ devoted to the appreciation and understanding of our natural world’. ANSS played an important role in helping to bring about and nurture the Nature-Study movement in the early 20th century.  ANSS was founded at the 1908 annual meeting in Chicago of the American Association for … Read More

Natural History Inserts — E L Palmer

Ephraim Lawrence (E L) Palmer was most well-known for his books such as Field Book of Natural History (1949), his weekly radio show This Week in Nature of the 1940s – 1950s, and his writings and contributions in the monthly publication of Nature Magazine including the 100+ Natural History Inserts. Each 8-page insert is inclusive of and focuses on a distinct and specific topic of … Read More