*Note: An updated version of this post can be found on Wildlife Promise called 25+ Nature and Wildlife Mobile Apps.
If you managed to wrestle my iPhone away from me, you would see that I collect nature applications, everything from trail-tracking apps to apps that help me identify birds (my weakness).
My goal is to find different ways for people to interact with nature using a mobile phone. Below I’ve written up a few of my favorites. I’d love to hear what apps you are using.
Watching for Wildlife
WildObs Collection: I use the apps–especially WildObs Mobile and WildObs Lookup–on a regular basis. If you find yourself wanting to record wildlife sightings that include more than birds– it’s definitely my preferred app!
Project Noah – Great application that also allows you to track your wildlife sightings! Definitely worth a download (it’s free!).
Finding Nature
NatureFind: Love this! (Disclosure–the National Wildlife Federation partners with both Naturefind and WildObs.) Search nature areas and outdoor events near you.
The North Face Trailhead Application is a great (and FREE) application that lets you locate the trails near you. If you like to hike, or simply want to explore or photograph trails, this application can help you do just that.
iBird Explorer Backyard: As an amateur bird explorer, this is a great app that helps you identify bird species and explore them by family, location and more.
Fun with Plants
Florafolio: This app offers an interactive field guide to native plants of North America. This edition focuses on the stunning variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, ferns, vines, and grasses that are indigenous to Eastern Canada and North Eastern United States. Florafolio is the perfect guide for anyone who wants to identify species in the wild or garden with native plants.
Botany Buddy: As a person looking to identify plants and exploring, I’ve truly found this app enjoyable. This app is useful when I know the name of what I’m looking for. You must have a profile, and it does require some basic understanding of plants. It includes 4,500 full color photos and twenty-five key fields of information on each plant.
I know there are countless I left out and I would LOVE to know your favorite nature apps! Share below and maybe I can review them!
The Net Naturalist 
Landscapers Companion, for the iPhone, has incredible information. Their search option is amazing . . . I would definitely recommend it to everyone looking to do ANY planting!
Have you checked out Leafsnap ?
Pretty nice app
Yes! Leafsnap is actually a recent application but I’m working on an updated list that will go live on Wildlifepromise.org… I will keep you posted!
The Mynature Apps are great, Animal Tracks and Trees.
I live in Melbourne Australia, the museum of Victoria has a fantastic free app available for identifying native fauna complete with soundclips for birds and frogs.
Thanks for the list – I’m going to check out some of these apps!
The Game App Bees and Bees HD is a great nature game I’d like to recommend for the whole family. It’a an iphone\ipad game and is free!
Thanks for the list–this is very helpful! I’ll post additions as I find things.
For all the African safari goers, Tracking the Wild (www.trackingthewild.com) has recently launched their wildlife social media platform for the Web, Android and iOS. You can download them here:
Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trackingthewild&referrer=utm_source%3DNet_Natrualist%26utm_medium%3Dblog
iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tracking-the-wild/id907889551
I have had trouble using Leafsnap – I have had it a couple of years. Even with the white paper I can’t get an id even if I already know what the subject is. I wonder what is wrong — user ignorance or too complicated app for my level. Have not removed it yet though.
Audubon hasn’t updated their field guides (except birds) to the latest iOS. Do you know if they are giving up on these?