Types of Nature Guides: Exploring Different Approaches to Connecting with Nature

Guided walks can take many forms, and each guide brings their own perspective, curiosity, and style. Some focus on stories, others on scientific observation, some on quiet reflection, and others on hands-on discovery. Over the years, I’ve noticed that people connect with nature differently depending on the type of guide they’re walking with — and I’ve been inspired by many approaches myself.

Below, I’ve outlined several guiding profiles I’ve observed, with examples of guides who have influenced them, including my own style.

• The Eco-Interpreter

Description: Explains ecological relationships, conservation, and the interconnectedness of life. Scientific concepts are translated into accessible stories and experiences, connecting participants with the “why” behind what they see.

Example guides: Jane Goodall, who teaches through her observations of animal behavior; Freeman Tilden, the pioneer of modern interpretation, whose writings form the foundation of this approach.

• The Scientific Observer

Description: Focuses on processes, patterns, and relationships, encouraging participants to notice details, ask questions, and deepen understanding. Identification is a tool to see connections, not just memorize names.

Example guides: Marc Migon, whose passion for small creatures and systems has taught me to observe carefully; Sir David Attenborough, whose work models clear and patient observation.

• The Experiential / Hands-On Guide

Description: Learning comes through doing. Participants track, measure, sample, or experiment, engaging actively with the environment.

Example guides: Sébastien Bruaux, who turns mushroom walks into shared foraging adventures; Julie Philips, whose knowledge of edible and medicinal herbs transforms walks into hands-on — and sometimes mouths-on — experiences; citizen science leaders who invite participants to collect data and explore actively.

• The Reflective / Slow Guide

Description: Guides in this style help participants notice the world in a deeply attentive and sensory way. Nature becomes a living narrative, full of stories, symbolism, and small details that invite reflection. Walks are unhurried, emphasizing mindfulness, quiet observation, and personal connection. Participants are encouraged to slow down, notice subtleties, and engage emotionally as well as intellectually.

Example guides: François Lateur, who brings a poetic lens to every walk and mentors me for my Nature Guide certificate; writers like Mary Oliver, who translate landscapes into words and feelings; contemplative walkers, and forest therapy guides who prioritize emotional and sensory connection over content delivery.

• The Storyteller-Historian

Description: Connects nature with human history, folklore, and culture. Species, landscapes, and seasons become part of a living narrative that includes people and their stories.

Example guides: Gabriel Willow, an ecologist and urban naturalist whose wildlife tours are rich with historical context and narrative, turning every path and riverbank into a story about human–nature relationships. Local heritage guides, folklorists, and educators who weave ecological and cultural knowledge into rich stories.

• The Playful / Family Guide

Description: Uses games, activities, and curiosity-driven exploration to engage participants, especially children or mixed-age groups. Learning happens through fun, interaction, and surprise.

Example guides: Julie Philips (again!) — her herbal walks engage the senses and invite playful experimentation; outdoor educators who turn exploration into joyful discovery.

• The Activator / Advocate Guide

Description: Encourages awareness and stewardship. Walks highlight environmental issues and inspire participants to think about their role in protecting nature.

Example guides: David Suzuki – scientist and broadcaster who blends environmental education with advocacy for biodiversity, climate action, and policy change; conservation leaders, educators integrating stewardship into walks, or guides inspired by climate advocacy who combine learning with empowerment.

• The Guardian-of-Place

Description: Knows a specific site deeply — its rhythms, quirks, and seasonal changes. Offers participants a sense of intimacy and attachment to that place.

Example guides: Long-term local guides who walk the same trails year after year; Tristan Gooley, whose intimate knowledge of landscapes, navigation, and natural cues demonstrates deep place-attunement.

My Guiding Blend

While I admire all of these approaches, my own guiding tends to combine:

• The Reflective / Slow Guide: noticing stories in the landscape and helping participants see meaning in small details

• Eco-interpretation: explaining ecological relationships and connecting observations to broader patterns

• Observation-focused guiding: helping participants understand processes and relationships, rather than only memorizing names

These elements reflect how I connect people with the living world — though I continue to be inspired by every type of guiding approach.

Closing Thoughts

Every walk is unique because every guide and participant brings something special. Exploring the types of guides can help you reflect on what you enjoy most in a nature experience — and maybe even inspire you to experiment with your own way of noticing.

I’d love for you to consider which type of guide resonates with you, and to join a walk where we explore these approaches together.