I always get really excited as the holidays approach (I mean, who wouldn’t). It’s a time when I get to look back at the year and think about the things that I accomplished and how I want to build on them the next year.
It’s also a time for me to choose thoughtful, strategically planned gifts for my favorite people. I thought I’d share with you some ideas of things to gift. I do want to point out that I am in no way connected to any of these products. I just found them to be particularly helpful for me and thought I’d share them with you.

Books

This time of year is perfect for snuggling up on the couch or in a tent with a warm drink to read a book and because no one can have enough books, I’ll start here!

Wild LA by the Natural History Museum

Back in 2019, my parents got me this book and I immediately fell in love with it! A lot of people have this preconception that LA is a bustling metropolis with little nature. This book proves those people wrong. It features over 100 species ranging from birds and insects to plants and fungus. It also features 25 destinations throughout LA where you can experience nature. If you live in Los Angeles or know someone who does, this book is essential!

Scenic Science of the National Parks by Emily Hoff and Maygen Keller

Featuring the wildlife, geology, botany, history, and more, Scenic Science is a great guide to sixty of America’s national parks! The book is organized by region/state, which makes referencing it very easy. Readers can take a deep dive on the life cycle of a giant sequoia, learn how pinnacles form, how tide animals survive, and more!

Birds of Southern California by Kimball L. Garrett, Jon L. Dunn, and Brian E. Small

Birds of Southern California is an easy to use pocket guide to the birds of SoCal perfect for a beginner birder. It features photos, descriptions, notes on voice and behavior, comparisons of similar species, details on where and when to find the species, and a fun fact!

The California Naturalist Handbook by Greg de Nevers, Deborah Stanger Edelmen, and Adina Merenlender

This book details California’s diverse natural history (geology, wildlife, ecosystems, etc.) in a fun, science-based format emphasizing conservation, stewardship, and observation.

The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth by Rachel Ignotofsky

This book delves into the diverse biomes of the Earth through detailed descriptions and masterful illustrations. The book is a wonderful and easy introduction to ecology, conservation, and the diversity of life. From North America’s redwood forests and northern Great Plains to Europe’s Alps and Mediterranean Basin to Asia’s Himalayan Mountains and Indochina mangroves, and more, this book has it all!

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

Silent Spring is a must have for any person interested in environmental science and conservation. This legendary book is history making and (as you may know) is considered the jump start of the modern environmental movement. Rachel Carson artfully details human impact during her time (early 1900’s) and how pesticides, herbicides, etc. were causing great damage not only to the health of the environment, but inevitably to the human species as well.

How to Bake π by Eugenia Cheng

From mathematician and artist Eugenia Cheng comes How to Bake π, a fascinating read on math, logic and a lot of category theory. Featuring thought provoking real world examples of the application of math (and a few recipes too), How to Bake π will change the way you perceive the world.

Cool Beans by Joe Yonan

Eating plant-based doesn’t have to be so hard and boring with Cool Beans, a book featuring wonderful recipes on one of the world’s most versatile and celebrated proteins. Recipes include white bean hummus with roasted vegetables on lavash, Tunisian chickpea soup, and even red bean ice cream! This book is vegetarian and very vegan friendly and features recipes so good it will have you eating plant-based in no time!

Other Stuff

Daypacks

A daypack is perfect for carrying items whenever out on a hike and exploring nature. There are a wide variety to choose from depending on style, fit, capacity, etc. Many daypacks also come with features that allow you to pack gear efficiently and effectively, like pockets, loops, and straps.

Foragers Playing Cards

A picked up a deck of Forager’s playing cards at a small convenience store in Ketchikan, Alaska back in 2019. These beautifully illustrated cards are not only great for playing games like War, Go Fish, and Spoons, but also offer insight into the seasonality, edibility, and more about berries, fungus, flowers, and leaves. Learn little facts while playing your favorite card game!

Rite in the Rain Notebooks

These are one of my essential items! Rite in the Rain notebooks contain patented waterproof paper and are overall pretty mess (mud, dirt, etc.) resistant. They’re perfect for taking into the field, whether birding, hiking, camping, etc. Rite in the Rain also makes pens and pencils that work specially for the paper, but regular writing utensils work well too!

Women in STEM postcards

These cards are created by author and illustrator Rachel Ignotofsky. The pictures and facts come right from Ignotofsky’s book Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World, a great read! Because there are two of each postcard, I took a few and made them into a collage to put up on my bedroom wall. 🙂

Peak Design Everyday Sling

I use this bag for carrying my camera equipment like the camera body, lenses, and batteries. It comes with two dividers, so you can easily make designated spots for your items. The bag is waterproof and is made with high quality 100% recyclable post-consumer material. Plus, Peak Design is climate neutral and part of the 1% For the Planet program.

Celestron Outland X Binoculars

These are a wonderful pair of beginner binoculars. They’re pretty lightweight and focus easily. In addition, they are waterproof and durable. When it comes to best quality for price, these are the bins to get!

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Online Bird Courses

Cornell Lab offers a variety of fun courses in ornithology, bird photography, and more. Perfect for experts and beginners alike, these are some highly rated classes. While they’re a bit on the pricey side, there are often sales and discounts. While I personally haven’t taken any of the classes, I have many friends who have and thoroughly enjoyed them!

Science pun shirt

Because no one can have enough humor in their life (especially when it’s science humor).