By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist
There’s something magical about how a good book can take you somewhere wild, even if you’re just curled up on the couch with a good cup of coffee. With each page, you might imagine yourself observing a predator feasting on its prey, or feeling the wind blowing bluestem at your shins, or walking through a Nebraska woodland that seems to go on forever. But some stories do more than paint a picture of the outdoors — they nudge you to step outside and experience it yourself.
Books can stir curiosity, shift the way you see the world, and remind you that adventure doesn’t have to be far away — sometimes, it’s waiting right outside your door. Whether you’re walking a prairie trail in Nebraska, kayaking the mighty Niobrara, or exploring your own backyard, these five nature-themed reads will deepen your appreciation for the wildness of Nebraska.
“A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold
No book embodies conservation and the outdoors better than “A Sand County Almanac.” Aldo Leopold’s timeless work has inspired naturalists, hunters and everyday nature lovers for decades. Drawing from his own experiences on a Wisconsin farm, Leopold reflects on the deep connection between people and the land. His concept of a “land ethic” reminds us that we are part of nature, not separate from it, and that caring for the land is our responsibility.
For anyone in Nebraska, Leopold’s words resonate strongly — every prairie, river and patch of wildflowers around us is part of a larger story, one worth noticing, cherishing and protecting. This is a book I return to time and again, and each time I finish it, I set it back on the shelf and, like an old friend, quietly promise, “I’ll see you again soon.”
“The Nature of Nebraska” by Paul. A. Johnsgard
This was one of the first books I picked up when I started my job at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. To be honest, college didn’t quite prepare me for the real, on-the-job learning I gained from actually being out in the landscape. This is one of those books I return to whenever I want to feel more connected to Nebraska’s outdoors.
If you’ve ever wondered what plants, birds or animals you might spot while hiking a local trail, this book is a treasure. Written by one of Nebraska’s most respected naturalists, “The Nature of Nebraska” blends science with storytelling in a way that makes the prairies, river valleys and Sandhills feel alive. I love using it as a guide when I’m outside, but it’s just as rewarding to curl up with it at home and let the stories draw me into the natural world all around me.
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a book that stays with you long after you’ve put it down. Part memoir, part science and part Indigenous wisdom, the author weaves together stories about plants, people and the land in a way that feels like she’s reminding you of something you already knew deep down. Reading it reminds me to slow down and notice the small details — the curve of a leaf, the smell of prairie grasses, or the way the seasons change across the landscape.
By the time you finish a section, you catch yourself wanting to step outside and breath in real air, touch bark and start to pay attention to what is actually happening in the outdoors. Here in Nebraska, “Braiding Sweetgrass” has a special resonance: Every prairie, river and grove of trees seems to carry its own story, and Kimmerer’s words help me see and appreciate those stories in a deeper, more meaningful way.
“Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside” by Nick Offerman
It should be no surprise to anyone who has read past articles from me that I am sarcastic, I like to laugh and I like to watch comedy unfold before my eyes. This book does that for me, providing belly-laughing fun. “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play” is one of those books that makes you want to grab your boots and head outside, even if it’s just for a quick walk around the block.
Nick Offerman’s stories are funny, thoughtful and down-to-earth in a way that feels honest — like you’re listening to a friend talk about the places that mean something to them. He pays attention to landscapes, big and small, in ways that remind you to slow down and really look at what’s around you. By the time you finish a chapter, you can’t help but feel that pull to get out, breathe some fresh air and let the outdoors do what it does best: Bring you back to yourself.
“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens
“Where the Crawdads Sing” inspires you to get outside in a different way — it sparks curiosity. Kya’s world is built on noticing: the subtle differences in feathers, how shorelines shift, the tiny patterns left behind by creatures most of us never see …. Her life is shaped by quiet, patient observation, and her careful attention draws you in. The book doesn’t push you toward some grand adventure. Instead, it makes you want to slow down outdoors, to explore the overlooked edges — ditch banks, creek beds, overgrown paths — and discover the small mysteries you’ve been passing by.
One of the reasons I love this book so much is that it shows what a true naturalist does. You don’t need a big wilderness adventure. There’s wonder to be found in a city park, your backyard, or even a seemingly ordinary patch of land. It leaves you wanting to step outside not for escape, but for discovery.
Reading about the natural world is only the beginning. The real magic happens when you step outside — when the crisp prairie wind hits your face, or you catch the flash of a turkey vulture high in the sky. Each of these books offers not just knowledge, but also motivation to explore, appreciate and care for the outdoors. The important thing is getting outside.
So, grab a book, find a trail and let the words lead you from the page to the prairie.