Alright alright alright. I know that some will say that this isn’t real nature, and it definitely isn’t wilderness, but this building is probably one of the best environmental educational resources in the world, and any true naturalist would not balk at the opportunity to increase their knowledge of our wild world. The amount of resources that has gone into the construction and maintenance of the Museum is staggering, and it is definitely worth the Urban Naturalist’s time to get lost for a few hours among its exhibits. Plus: its free! The amount of stuffed animals on display can be rather alarming, especially when you find that many of the African specimens were “acquired” in a single hunting safari undertaken by Teddy Roosevelt (celebrated President and “Conservationist,” see #2) in 1909, but these exhibits are the closest most people will ever get to study such creatures. There are exhibits on every environment and biome imaginable, including a few examining flora and fauna that haven’t been on this earth for millennia. Trace the roots of our own species, and realize that throughout our creation, evolution, and contemporary lives, we are still a part and product of nature. This museum is best explored during the week and winter time, since it is a very popular destination for tourists.

Bonus:

Fossil hunt around DC! The large amount of quarried granite and marble blocks in the architecture of The District has created a great medium for fossil hunting, a database is being filed at http://dcfossils.org. An interesting treasure hunt for the Urban Naturalist turned Paleontologist.