Naturalist A person who is knowledgeable in and often educates others in the characteristics, processes, and history of the natural environment. A person who is an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms. A person who studies nature, including landscapes, plants, and animals, usually in their natural surroundings.
Natural Resources Physical properties, materials, and on-going ecological processes that include but are not limited to air and water atmospheric resources, marine and freshwater systems; geologic features and
processes; biological entities and systems; natural sound; day and night sky features and relationships; seasonal and celestial fluctuations; and natural interactive processes.
Nature Center A facility that brings environments and people together under the guidance of trained professionals to experience and develop relationships with nature. A nature center serves its community and
fosters sustainable connections between people and their environment. (Association of Nature Center Administrators).
Related Terms: Discovery Center, Interpretive Center, Visitor Center
Needs Assessment A systematic process for determining the needs of a defined population; the process of researching needs, available services, and service gaps by population and geographic area.
Related Terms: Audience research, Demand analysis
Nonformal Education/Learning Any organized educational activity outside the established formal system — whether operating
separately or as an important feature of some broader activity that is intended to serve identifiable learning clienteles and learning objectives. Adapted from The Encyclopedia of Informal Education, 2006 Formal Education/learning, Informal Education/Learning
Nonpersonal Interpretation Interpretive media that do not require a person to deliver a message (i.e. exhibits, waysides, brochures, signs, magazines, books, etc.).