Most people can't identify or understand the nature around them

Across the world, people are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural environment that sustains us. This separation isn't just about living in cities — it's about losing the deep, everyday relationship with nature that shaped human culture for millennia.

This disconnection has profound consequences. When we don't experience nature regularly, we struggle to understand our dependence on healthy ecosystems. We miss out on the mental and physical health benefits that contact with the natural world provides. Children grow up without developing the curiosity and care for nature that comes from direct experience.

The challenge is urgent because this disconnection makes it harder for people to support the environmental action we desperately need. It's difficult to protect what feels abstract or irrelevant to daily life.

Even when people encounter nature, many lack the basic knowledge to recognize common plants, birds, or insects in their local environment. This nature blindness means that the living world often feels like an undifferentiated green backdrop rather than a community of distinct species with fascinating behaviors and relationships.

Without this foundational knowledge, it's difficult to notice changes in local ecosystems, appreciate the complexity of natural systems, or feel a sense of connection to the specific place where you live. Building nature literacy helps people become more observant, curious, and engaged with their local environment.