# Nature's Notebook

> Citizen science app for observing and recording plant and animal life cycles. (iPhone/iPad app by National Phenology Network.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/natures-notebook/id1463430668 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [National Phenology Network](https://appshunter.io/developer/843843359)
- Category: Education, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.12/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 10 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 47 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-05-21
- Data updated: 2026-07-07
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/natures-notebook/id1463430668/reviews.md

## What is Nature's Notebook?

Nature's Notebook is a program for observing and recording plant and animal life cycle events, like flowering and bird migration. Use this app to mark your sites, create a list of plants and animals, and going into the field to record observations throughout the seasons. Find out more at www.usanpn.org/nn/guidelines.

## Key features

- Record plant and animal life cycle events
- Mark observation sites
- Create species lists
- Log seasonal observations
- Citizen science program

## Recent user reviews (10 of 10)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/natures-notebook/id1463430668/reviews.md

### 3/5 — OK but needs some work

*2025-03-12, version 1.8.8*

This app is generally useful and easy to use but is some steps away from being great. I had no trouble setting it up, and I like that observations are logged using straightforward Y/N questions. However, like another reviewer from 1 year ago, I can’t see my comments as I’m typing them and it locks me in the keyboard. To get back to the observation, I have to click a response to one of the questions that are visible. Then I can see the comment. As with entering the comment initially, to edit the comment, I have to blindly backspace over it and retype (carefully) without seeing it. Seems like this should be fixed by now if someone noted the problem a year ago. Also, the app frequently crashes. I’m tracking five plants, and the app usually crashes at least twice before I get the five observations entered. Finally, the calendar shows I entered observations on a date that I did not and says there are no observations when I open that date. There shouldn’t be a green check mark on that date in the calendar. For reference, I’m on an iPhone 13 Pro, iOS 18.3.1.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2024-12-12, version 1.8.8*

It’s useless. Every time I attempt to launch, it is forever loading data

### 3/5 — Great program, app sometimes frustrating

*2024-02-17, version 1.8.4*

Probably because I have a smaller phone, the keyboard covers up what I’m trying to type. No way to edit typos in site comments, either, because of the same issue.

### 3/5 — creating the account is the worst part

*2022-10-27, version 1.8.1*

Setting up an account is very much like doing taxes.  I stopped when I found myself tempted to tap ok just because there was no way to back out.  Like partnering with organizations I never heard of.  Now I remember why I didn't get involved years ago.

### 4/5 — Kathleen

*2022-03-25, version 1.8.1*

I started to have missing plants on my garden. Someone dug them up and it’s alarming that if you have plants that are rare that someone would kill or steal them ! I’m kinda broken-hearted .

### 1/5 — App Won’t Open

*2020-09-17, version 1.7.7*

Every time I open the app it force closes and won’t even take me past the app name

### 5/5 — Finally a data entry app that I can trust!!

*2019-07-24, version 1.7*

I am a Nature's Notebook observer and I have been on the staff for many years, but never used our mobile app in the past because I did not trust the technology. I learned as a young scientist to ALWAYS make and keep a hard copy of your data in case the digital version vanished in a computer glitch, so I have used paper data sheets and subsequently entered the data online all this time. This updated version of the app not only is easier to use, but it also allows you to review the data you just entered and verify that is has synced with the database. I was cautious the first few times, but now I have abandoned my paper and pencil method for good!

### 5/5 — Nature’s Notebook app

*2019-06-25, version 1.7*

This new app works well. Very easy to use. Love the upgrade.

### 3/5 — Just downloaded

*2019-06-24, version 1.7*

Are we going to be able to see our data fr the old app on this app? It’s not showing up now.
On my site animals spp list, some of the animals’ complete nane is not appearing. Just the first word appears. Ex. ‘White’.
‘White’ what?
I would like a spot to enter environmental data, such as temp, clear/cloudy/raining/snowing, wind - mph & direction,
I’m on an iPhone 7 Plus
I’m not having fun w this

For whatever reason my phone has issues w this
I’m going back to the old app

### 5/5 — Beautiful Updated App — Download It!

*2019-06-20, version 1.7*

This new version is a huge improvement! Better functionality and interface.

## Frequently asked questions about Nature's Notebook

### What is Nature's Notebook used for?

Nature's Notebook is a program for observing and recording plant and animal life cycle events, such as flowering and bird migration. It allows users to mark sites, create species lists, and log observations throughout the seasons.

### Is Nature's Notebook free to use?

Yes, Nature's Notebook is completely free to download and use. The app is available at no cost to all users.

### What devices does Nature's Notebook support?

Nature's Notebook is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices.

### How often is Nature's Notebook updated?

The latest version of Nature's Notebook is 1.8.8, which was last updated on February 28, 2024. Updates are released periodically to improve functionality and add new features.

### What is the age rating for Nature's Notebook?

Nature's Notebook has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for users aged four and older.

### Where can I find guidelines for using Nature's Notebook?

You can find more information and guidelines for using Nature's Notebook at www.usanpn.org/nn/guidelines. This resource provides detailed instructions and best practices for observation.

### What kind of learning methodology does Nature's Notebook employ?

Nature's Notebook utilizes a hands-on, observational learning methodology. Users learn about ecological processes and species by actively recording data in the field.

### Does Nature's Notebook offer certifications for users?

The provided information does not indicate that Nature's Notebook offers formal certifications for users. Its primary focus is on data collection for citizen science initiatives.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.8.8 — 2024-02-28

fixes log in issue.
fixes various links.
changes groups wording to programs.

### 1.8.4 — 2023-12-20

Supports new backend servers.

### 1.8.3 — 2023-12-16

New site prep and backend cloud migration

### 1.8.2 — 2023-11-27

framework updates

### 1.8.1 — 2021-05-25

Enlarged Date/Time tap area

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-07.*