Most of us have only a vague understanding of the natural world, glimpsed through our rushing, modern fog of commute, electronics, and a stressful load of daily tasks. Our interaction with nature is ever more frequently pushed to the back burner as we choose convenience and faster-paced, more immediate concerns. Perhaps more than anything, this failure to attend the natural world, and to consider ourselves a direct part of immediate ecosystems, has left us strangers on an alien Earth that will certainly not be able to sustain the current human lifestyle.

So, how do we get back in with Mother Nature? For those who don't know where to begin, who are trepidatious or squeamish about the natural world, take in the following stories, tips, and leads from four local naturalists on how to jumpstart your relationship with your environment and its inhabitants. You can start by dipping your toes into any area that tugs your interest, whether flora or fauna, geology, water ecology, or even astronomy.

Naturalists can be found everywhere, from trails and land-trust organizations, to science teachers at all levels of schooling. They tend to be educators, because when you look so closely at nature, there is an excited urge to encourage others to look, too. But you don't have to have a job in a field of nature or study science to be a naturalist - all you need is interest and a willingness to get outside and to learn.

Edith Davey grew up walking native pastures in Kansas, but "learning the landscape in New York has been a joy," she says. "The seasonal changes in animals and the wonderful variety of plant life means there's always something interesting and new to see. Even the bedrock and fossils are different here."

Davey's particular area of interest is in educating children and adults on water-quality issues. "Identifying the critters and knowing something about the sensitivity of diverse species to water quality is the key information," she says. For the past few years, Davey has also lead programs for garden, school, and civic clubs focusing on backyard habitats and gardening for wildlife topics.

Interaction with nature has been "one of the chief enjoyments of my life," says Davey, who works for the Soil and Water Conservation District, for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association. "Curiosity and the pleasure of learning as much as I can about what is around me has always been central." Davey will be leading a "Keeping Your Water Well" session at the Town Hall in Geneva on June 22 (for updates, call 396-1450 x22).

Experiencing the natural world is "the true reality show taking place on the planet," says Davey. "Ignorance of the natural world leads to fear, misuse, destruction...terrible things happen when this kind of knowledge becomes scarce. We are part of nature and should know enough about it to interact appropriately. I'm continually distressed that children and adults can be terrified of a perfectly harmless bug that's about 1 millionth the size of the person recoiling from it."

Davey relates a story of a lady who was trying to attract pipevine butterflies but sprayed the vine every year to be rid of the worms infesting it, until Davey explained that the "worms" were in fact the caterpillars that would become the butterflies. "She was surprised that other butterflies besides Monarchs went through the larval cycle," she says.

Steve Daniel has been a naturalist all of his adult life, and taught natural history at Monroe Community College (and previously Nazareth College) for 30 years. He's active in many local clubs, and leads walks and gives talks for the Burroughs Audubon Nature Club, Rochester Butterfly Club, Rochester Birding Association, New York Flora Association, Genesee Land Trust, among others. Through Nature Discoveries, a series of naturalist-led vacation-adventures, he's led eco-tours to the far corners of the planet.

Daniel's interest in nature was sparked at his first camping trip after high-school graduation. "Shortly after that general experience I learned that there were more birds than robins and blue jays, and they had names. And there were books that could help you identify them. Wow! I just had to see an indigo bunting and a blackburnian warbler," he says. Friends took him to the old Penfield quarry, where the woods were filled with trilliums and other wildflowers. "I was totally hooked, and pursued an educational path and then professional career in the field."

Most naturalists are self-taught, or develop their interests through like-minded people in clubs for enthusiasts of particular plants or animals, but Daniel received formal training at school. Though he has focused on different aspects of nature at different points in his life, he never specialized in a particular field. "I'm interested in it all - plants, birds, butterflies, and moths, actually all bugs, fungi, aquatic creatures, geology," he says.

"Connecting with nature has some deep resonance with many, probably most, people," says Daniel, who emphasizes that you don't need to fully become a "naturalist" in order find a connection with some part of the natural world that interests you. "People who find that connection often become hooked, and often have their lives changed forever," he says. "For many people it grows into a lifelong hobby and rewarding pursuit."

"There are no better free activities anywhere," Daniel says, pointing out that focusing on nature is a sustainable, non-consumptive activity, accessible to all economic groups, and that "preserving and protecting our public green spaces - parks for example - are so important to our well being and the future."

Daniel will lead nature walks in July for the Genesee Land Trust, the New York Flora Association, and the Niagara Frontier Botanical Society. You can learn more at geneseelandtrust.org, nyflora.org, and www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/botany/.

Although he holds a degree in water resources and is a professional environmental consultant, artist Jim Mott considers himself an amateur naturalist. Mott was always drawn to nature, and recalls exploring fields, woods, and swamps in rural Acton, Massachusetts, as a young child with siblings or alone, and seeing a cast-off snake skin by a muddy creek at age 3 is one of his earliest memories. Mott was captivated by patterns carved by beetles on pieces of found fallen wood, studied ice formations along the edge of a nearby stream in winter, and looked at birds. "Although I seldom paint animals now," he says, "drawing birds and other creatures as a way to connect with them was the start of my interest in art."

"In some languages there are two verbs for ‘to know,'" says Mott. "One denotes factual, analytical knowing, and the other is more about familiarity and bonding. My priority in learning about nature has always been the latter kind of knowing." But the two can complement each other, he says: when you can recognize various species of native trees, bushes, and wildflowers, you gain a fuller relationship with and appreciation for your surroundings. "If you're awaiting the 20 to 30 species of warbler passing through Cobbs Hill or Highland Park in May on their way north from the tropics, you're more likely to marvel at their long and perilous journey," he says, and "take delight in their different colors, markings, songs."

Like Daniel, Mott thinks of naturalists as generalists, "because they have to see how everything connects," he says. But he also believes that if interested readers pick a field they are drawn to as a starting point, one thing will lead to another and another. "I'm not only a generalist but an impressionist, which ultimately leads me more toward poetry than science," he says.

Mott does part-time environmental consulting for conservation groups, which not only helps pay the bills, but complements his work in landscape painting. "Most importantly it allows me to have a sense of meaningful engagement with nature," he says. "It's easy to feel disconnected from life, to fall into a superficial or anxious relationship with the world, with ourselves."

Being in touch with nature is exceedingly important as our lives are pushed further into the shallow and superficial territory of electronic media, says Mott. "I don't see how social networking and the habit of busy-ness can sustain the human spirit, which seems to require tangible sensory interaction with real things, with stillness, and otherness - with nature."

In the slowness of times past, when we weren't as occupied with dramas played out on glowing screens, knowing the names and uses of things was much more common. "I once read an essay on American history that began with the thought that any American who couldn't recognize a dozen species of tree while walking down the street wasn't a complete citizen," says Mott. "The flip side is that if you do recognize those trees, you get the benefit of feeling more connected, more a part of a place. And presumably you'll care about the world more, too, which could be good for nature."

Liz Magnanti has always loved nature and the outdoors, and for the past five years she has been giving nature walks and talks. Magnanti attended college for wildlife conservation, and has worked at a few different nature centers as a naturalist since then, studying everything from microscopic pond life to astronomy programs, but focusing mainly on birds and insects. Magnanti also manages The Bird House, a wild bird shop on Monroe Avenue, which specializes in attracting birds to residential yards. She leads a few bird walks, classes, and presentations for the store throughout the year, and leads classes and walks for Tinker Nature Park several times a year as well.

"I've lead nature walks for children that expect tigers and monkeys to be in woods in our area, because that is what they see on TV," she says. In an age when children don't spend much time outside anymore, they have no idea what to expect from their natural environment.

Neither do many adults. "I am constantly getting texted photos of snakes, turtles, and bugs from friends in dire need of knowing what just crept into their yard," she says. Learning about the immediate environment is important for conservation: "endangered species, pollution, and habitat destruction aren't problems that are only on the other side of the world," she says, "they are right here in Rochester, too."

On August 27, Magnanti will lead a bird and butterfly walk at Whiting Road Nature Preserve in Webster, and on September 10 she will teach a class at Tinker Nature Park on tagging monarch butterflies to help track their migration routes to Mexico. For more information on these events, visit webstertrails.org and tinkernaturepark.blogspot.com.

"An old axiom states we can only protect what we know," says Steve Daniel. But if all we know is experienced one step - or many - removed from nature, "through a medium like TV, iPhone, computer," he says, "then we are less likely to protect it. Fewer advocates for the environment does not bode well for the future of our planet." For now, he points out, "most people realize there is more to our planet than what humans have created, more than Facebook, Twitter, and the mall." The trick is learning to indulge in this slower-paced, more authentic experience.

Tips for beginner naturalists

-Get your feet wet through gardening or bird feeding.

-Take walks with a field guide book, or bring a digital camera to photograph for later identification.

-Look up into the trees and around the landscape as well as at your feet. Watch the "edge" spaces where fields, forests, and water bodies intersect - animals like those places.

-Wade into a stream and pick up a rock to see what kinds of insects might be living beneath. Learn to identify the bugs and you'll learn a lot about the stream, too.

-Don't limit yourself to one season. Squeamish about bugs? Pick up nature guides for winter or fall and see what keeps us company during Western New York's crueler months.

-Go where you don't usually go, and explore.

-Consider an area of nature you're not comfortable with, and tackle that. You'll be surprised as your appreciation grows with knowledge, and your fear lessens.

Naturalist resources

The following nature centers and organizations provide educational activities, events, and resources, but are only a sampling of offerings in this region. If we've missed your organization or center, please add it in the comments section of this article at rochestercitynewspaper.com.

Adirondack Mountain Club, Genesee Valley Chapter Monthly meetings held at Eisenhart Auditorium at Rochester Museum and Science Center (657 East Ave.) Recreation group holds backpacking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing trips and lectures, with a focus on conservation and education. 987-1717, www.gvc-adk.org.

Bergen Swamp Preservation Society An educational institution to hold and preserve the lands of the Bergen Swamp, conserve the rare flora and fauna of the lands under its control, and to offer schools, colleges, and other interested parties access for observation and study. 548-7304, bergenswamp.org

Braddock Bay Raptor Research & Bird Observatory (Braddock Bay Park, E. Manitou Road, Greece) Committed to preservation of the area's natural resources, conducts research and educational activities on raptor migration. Hawk-banding demos and lectures held regularly. 267-5483, bbrr.org.

Burroughs Audubon Nature Sanctuary & Club (101 Railroad Mills Road, Victor) A 30-acre nature sanctuary with trails and a clubhouse located in Victor, and a 90-acre nature preserve near Dansville. Used by an organization of hikers, birdwatchers, butterfly, wildflower, and nature lovers dedicated to promoting natural sciences, ecology, and conservation through programs and field trips. 924-9454, bancny.org.

Cumming Nature Center (6472 Gulick Road, Naples) A 900-acre preserve south of Rochester overseen by Rochester Museum and Science Center. Interpretive hikes and walks offered, trails through wetlands and marshes open spring through fall; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing offered in the winter months. 374-6160, rmsc.org/cummingnaturecenter/.

Finger Lakes Land Trust Check events page for nature walks, birdwatching excursion, luncheons, work days, and more throughout the year in the Finger Lakes region. 607-275-9487, fllt.org.

Finger Lakes Trail Conference Dedicated to building, protecting, enhancing, and promoting a continuous 950-mile footpath across New York State. Events, discussion e-groups, photo gallery. fltconference.org

Footprint Press Outdoor recreation guidebooks for New York State; includes books, articles, and a blog on recreational and nature-education activities. footprintpress.com.

Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway Provides opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation and nature observation along the abandoned canal towpath and rail bed. 658-2569, fogvg.org.

Friends with Feathers Livingston County-based aviary home to injured birds of prey that cannot be released into the wild and are available for educational programs in ecology and conservation. 346-0423, frontiernet.net/~friendswithfeathers.

Genesee Valley Hiking Club Year-round association for hikers. Make friends with other nature lovers while you get to know a variety of trails and natural spaces in the Greater Rochester area. gvhchikes.org.

Hansen Nature Center (1585 Calkins Road, Henrietta) Includes Tinker Nature Park and Tinker Homestead tours, exhibits on the natural history of New York, an indoor honeybee observation hive, educational activities, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing events in the winter. 359-7044, sites.google.com/site/hansennaturecenter.

Helmer Nature Center (154 Pinegrove Ave.) A 45-acre outdoor classroom and an environmental resource, with a variety of programs for children and adults. 336-3035, westirondequoit.org/helmer.htm

Letchworth State Park (1 Letchworth State Park, Castile) Year-round interpretive hikes through the "Grand Canyon of the East" with a variety of naturalists, from geology, to amphibians, to mushrooms. 493-3600, nysparks.com/parks/79/details.aspx.

Mendon Ponds Nature Center and Nature Preserve (Ponds Road at Clover Street, Honeoye Falls) Park includes 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands, and glacially created land forms; the preserve consists of 550 acres with seven miles of self-guiding nature trails and five miles of multi-use trails. 334-3780, monroecounty.gov/parks-mendonponds.php.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (Routes 5 & 20 East, Seneca Falls) The refuge serves as a major resting area for waterfowl and other water birds on their journeys to and from nesting areas in northeastern and east-central Canada, benefitting wildlife and providing a place for people to visit and enjoy the wildlife in its natural habitat. 315-568-5987, fws.gov/r5mnwr.

Nature Conservancy, Central and Western New York Chapter (1048 University Ave.) An international membership organization committed to the global preservation of natural diversity; provides education, blogs, resources, and events. 546-8030, nature.org.

Nature Discoveries (181 Railroad Mills Rd., Pittsford) Led by local naturalists, these eco-tours offer vacation-learning adventures for active people who enjoy visiting the world's finest natural places. 586-8250, naturediscoveries.com.

New York Flora Association Organization dedicated to the promotion of field botany and greater understanding of the plants that grow in the wild in New York State. nyflora.org.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation A resource site for New York State Parks, those comparatively unadulterated natural spaces. Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls state parks are two in particular that offer interpretive hikes and educational activities. 607-387-7041, nysparks.state.ny.us.

Rochester Academy of Science Includes subsections for enthusiasts of anthropology, astronomy, fossils, life sciences, minerals, and ornithology. Publications, activities, lectures, and symposia are collected on this page. rasny.org.

Rochester Birding Association Monthly meetings, field trips, and conservation efforts. 264-1704, rochesterbirding.com.

Sierra Club of Rochester (120 N Plymouth Ave.) Sponsors film screenings, lectures, and activities. 234-1056, newyork.sierraclub.org/rochester.

Sterling Nature Center (Jensvold Road, Sterling) Along the shore of Lake Ontario, Sterling Lakeshore Park is a natural habitat for diverse plant and wildlife, and the nature center offers naturalist-guided hikes through the trails, and educational programs. 315-947-6143, cayuganet.org/sterlingpark/center.

Thousand Acre Swamp Sanctuary (Jackson Road in Penfield, between Atlantic and Plank Road) Actually just more than 500 acres, this ice-age remnant area of low wetlands and upland ash and maple forests is owned by the Nature Conservancy. Trails managed by a volunteer group that offers numerous guided walks throughout the year. 425-9561.

Western New York Hiking Trails Self-explanatory guide. wnyhikes.com.

Wild Wings (3914 Clover St., Honeoye Falls in Mendon Ponds Park) Educational organization houses and cares for permanently injured birds of prey and offers educational programs. 334-7790, wildwingsinc.org.