The Best Nature Books 2026

1. Peterson First Guide to Forests (Paperback) by John C. Kricher

9780395971970. Paperback. Language: English. Pages: 128. 128 p. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. This guide describes and illustrates the 50 different kinds of forest and related habitats found throughout the United States and Canada, from the boreal forests and tundra of the north to the mangrove swamps, desert scrub, and giant saguaro forests of the south. 55 color plates.

9780395971970. Paperback. Language: English. Pages: 128. 128 p. Contains: Unspecified. Includes unspecified. This guide describes and illustrates the 50 different kinds of forest and related habitats found throughout the United States and Canada, from the boreal forests and tundra of the north to the mangrove swamps, desert scrub, and giant saguaro forests of the south. 55 color plates.

2. Dry River : Stories of Life, Death, and Redemption on the Santa Cruz (Paperback)

Poet and writer Alison Deming once noted, "In the desert, one finds the way by tracing the aftermath of water . . . " Here, Ken Lamberton finds his way through a lifetime of exploring southern Arizona's Santa Cruz River. This river--dry, still, and silent one moment, a thundering torrent of mud the next--serves as a reflection of the desert around it: a hint of water on parched sand, a path to redemption across a thirsty landscape. With his latest book, Lamberton takes us on a trek across the land of three nations--the United States, Mexico, and the Tohono O'odham Nation--as he hikes the river's path from its source and introduces us to people who draw identity from the river--dedicated professionals, hardworking locals, and the author's own family. These people each have their own stories of the river and its effect on their lives, and their narratives add immeasurable richness and depth to Lamberton's own astute observations and picturesque descriptions. Unlike books that detail only the Santa Cruz's decline, Dry River offers a more balanced, at times even optimistic, view of the river that ignites hope for reclamation and offers a call to action rather than indulging in despair and resignation. At once a fascinating cultural history lesson and an important reminder that learning from the past can help us fix what we have damaged, Dry River is both a story about the amazing complexity of this troubled desert waterway and a celebration of one man's lifelong journey with the people and places touched by it.

Poet and writer Alison Deming once noted, “In the desert, one finds the way by tracing the aftermath of water . . . ” Here, Ken Lamberton finds his way through a lifetime of exploring southern Arizona’s Santa Cruz River. This river—dry, still, and silent one moment, a thundering torrent of mud the next—serves as a reflection of the desert around it: a hint of water on parched sand, a path to redemption across a thirsty landscape. With his latest book, Lamberton takes us on a trek across the land of three nations—the United States, Mexico, and the Tohono O’odham Nation—as he hikes the river’s path from its source and introduces us to people who draw identity from the river—dedicated professionals, hardworking locals, and the author’s own family. These people each have their own stories of the river and its effect on their lives, and their narratives add immeasurable richness and depth to Lamberton’s own astute observations and picturesque descriptions. Unlike books that detail only the Santa Cruz’s decline, Dry River offers a more balanced, at times even optimistic, view of the river that ignites hope for reclamation and offers a call to action rather than indulging in despair and resignation. At once a fascinating cultural history lesson and an important reminder that learning from the past can help us fix what we have damaged, Dry River is both a story about the amazing complexity of this troubled desert waterway and a celebration of one man’s lifelong journey with the people and places touched by it.

3. Wildlife and Nature Identification: Appalachian Scenic Trail Trees & Wildflowers, Waterproof : A Waterproof Pocket Guide to Familiar Species (Other)

Appalachian Trail Trees & Wildflowers is the go-to resource for the plants found along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It highlights over 140 species. Laminated for durability, this 12-panel folding pocket guide includes a back-panel map that lists and locates prominent parks within the range.

Appalachian Trail Trees & Wildflowers is the go-to resource for anyone interested in the plants found along the 2,175-mile-long Appalachian National Scenic Trail. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and also includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent botanical sanctuaries along the trail. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by hikers of all ages. Made in the USA.

4. Wildlife and Nature Identification: Sierra Nevada Birds : A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species of the Montane Forest Region (Other)

Sierra Nevada Birds is the perfect pocket-sized reference to the birds of the Sierra Nevada region. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights more than 140 familiar species from tanagers to chickadees and includes a map featuring prominent birding hotspots in the region. Laminated for durability.

The spectacular scarlet tanager is one of over 250 species of birds found in this region. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

5. Wildlife and Nature Identification: Sierra Nevada Wildlife : A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Animals of the Montane Forest Region (Other)

Biological diversity in the Sierra Nevada's 12 million acres is among the highest in the United States. Sierra Nevada Wildlife is the perfect pocket-sized, folding guide to help identify many of the wildlife species found in this region, from large mammals like elk and bears to salamanders and swallowtails.

Sierra Nevada's 12 million acres support a rich diversity of wildlife ranging from large mammals like elk and bears to salamanders and swallowtails. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects and includes a map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

6. Great Smoky Mountains Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to 66 species of mammals, 200+ birds and 80 types of amphibians and reptiles. Great Smoky Mountains Wildlife is the perfect pocket-sized, folding guide for the nature enthusiast. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies.

The diverse flora of the Great Smoky Mountains make it a magnet for wildlife. The area is home to over 240 species of birds and 50 species of mammals (including the densest population of black bears in the Eastern United States), 25 species of reptiles and at least 30 species of salamanders, earning the area the title of 'The SALAMANDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD'. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

7. Iowa Wildlife : A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Species

Iowa has seven national wildlife refuges and one wetland management district totaling 110,000 acres. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects and includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

Iowa has seven national wildlife refuges and one wetland management district totaling 110,000 acres. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects and includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

8. Pocket Naturalist Guides: Arkansas Trees & Wildflowers: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants (Paperback)

Arkansas' varied topography and temperate climate support thousands of plants species, many endemic to the state. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and also includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent botanical sanctuaries. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and resident alike.

Arkansas' varied topography and temperate climate support thousands of plants species, many endemic to the state. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and also includes an ecoregion map featuring prominent botanical sanctuaries. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and resident alike.

9. Pocket Naturalist Guides: Great Smoky Mountains Trees & Wildflowers: A Folding Pocket Guide to Familiar Plants (Paperback)

The Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of an International Biosphere Reserve and contains nearly 200,000 acres of old growth forest. The extraordinary mosaic of life zones, including the world's finest example of a temperate deciduous forest, supports an estimated 5,600 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs including more than 1,600 species of flowering plants. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

The Great Smoky Mountains, which is part of an International Biosphere Reserve and contains nearly 200,000 acres of old growth forest. The extraordinary mosaic of life zones - including the world's finest example of a temperate deciduous forest - supports an estimated 5,600 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs including more than 1,600 species of flowering plants. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

10. Wildlife and Nature Identification: West Virginia Wildlife : An Introduction to Familiar Species (Other)

The portable and beautifully illustrated West Virginia Wildlife features 140 common and familiar mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, butterflies, and other insects as well as an ecoregion map showing over 20 wildlife-viewing hotspots and learning sites. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, 12-panel folding pocket guide is the ideal companion for educators, learners, naturalists, and educators who are keen to learn more about animals and peer more closely into their fascinating lives. Made in the USA.

West Virginia is home to more than 57 species of amphibians and reptiles; 70 wild mammals; 178 species of fish and nearly 300 species of birds. West Virginia Wildlife is the ideal pocket-sized, folding reference for the nature enthusiast. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and butterflies/insects. Includes a map featuring prominent wildlife-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.