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Trees for Beginners: Understanding Trees as Living Systems
Learn to See Trees Like a Naturalist
A 6-week guided journey to help you identify, understand, and truly connect with the trees around you.
Part of the iNaturewatch Naturalist Learning Series, this course brings a field-based learning experience into a flexible online format.
What you will gain
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Identify common trees around you with confidence
- Understand how trees adapt to their environment
- Observe ecological relationships between trees, insects, and birds
- Develop a habit of nature observation and documentation
- Begin thinking like a naturalist
Testimonial
Excellent beginners course
A great power packed 6 weeks course. The information provided was excellent keeping all aspects of trees in mind. One is sure to fall in love with trees and will definitely change the outlook towards trees. A must do course for a nature lover.
Review by Bhupendra V. on 8 Jul 2020
How the course works
This is not a passive online course.
It is a structured, guided learning experience that includes:
- Weekly learning modules
- Live interactive sessions
- Simple assignments and field observations
- Quizzes to reinforce learning
- A small peer group for shared learning
Course structure
Duration: 6 weeks
Includes:
- 6 learning modules
- 6 quizzes
- 3 guided assignments
- 3 live sessions
- Final project
Who this is for
- Beginners with no prior knowledge
- Nature enthusiasts who want to go deeper
- Students, educators, and professionals
- Anyone curious about the natural world
Learn from experienced naturalists, including Isaac Kehimkar and Shubhalaxmi, with years of field and teaching experience
What’s included
- Weekly guided learning modules covering tree identification, adaptations, pollination, and plantation practices
- Interactive quizzes to reinforce your understanding
- Pre-recorded video lectures by course faculty
- Live guest sessions with experts on specialised topics
- Practical assignments to explore current tree-related issues
- DIY projects to apply your learning in real-world contexts
- Guided field observation exercises to study trees in different environments
- Live sessions for orientation, feedback, and course wrap-up
- A peer learning WhatsApp group to share observations and learn collaboratively
Testimonial
Trees for beginners
This course is well structured for beginners and for those interested in knowing the trees around us. I really liked their field assignment, it gives us an idea of how to go about in field to identify trees. I had no background in botany but still I was able to follow up with study material. If you are someone who really want to know about the trees around, this course is a good start. Also, the faculty are really great, fun and respond fast for any queries
Review by Santosh on 30 Mar 2020
Course Faculty: Isaac Kehimkar
An eminent naturalist and author of Common Indian Wild Flowers, he is widely known for his wildlife photography and deep knowledge of natural history. A lepidopterist for over 25 years, he created India’s first modern field guide to butterflies. He is a Governing Council member of the Bombay Natural History Society and is fondly known as the “Butterfly Man” and a living natural history encyclopedia.
Course Faculty: Dr. V.Shubhalaxmi
An award-winning entomologist, educator, and ecopreneur, Dr. Shubhalaxmi has over two decades of experience in nature conservation and environmental education. Beginning as a moth researcher with BNHS, she went on to design and lead some of their most popular online courses. She is the founder of Ladybird Environmental Consulting, iNaturewatch Foundation, and Birdwing Publishers, with strong expertise in programme and business development.
External Faculty: Dr. Santosh Yadav
Dr. Santosh Yadav is a noted naturalist and botanist with a Ph.D. in Angiosperm taxonomy from Mumbai University. He is actively involved in documenting wild trees of Gujarat, ecological restoration, and plant surveys. He has discovered several plant species, reclassified many others, and received the Young Naturalist of India Award (2008) and Excellence in Botany Award (2018).
FAQs
- Do I need a science background?
No, beginners are welcome. - When are sessions held?
Once a week on weekends. - How much time is required?
About 1 hour per day. - Will I get a certificate?
Yes, participation or graded completion certificate. - Is this a graded course?
Yes, if you choose to complete assignments. - How often are batches announced?
Every month. - Are assignments compulsory?
No, but recommended. - Can I access it on my phone?
Yes, it is mobile-friendly. - Is this for children?
No, it is designed for adults.