Naturalist intelligence--do you have it?

People high in Naturalist Intelligence (part of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences) are drawn to some aspect(s) of nature: birds, rocks, plants, mountains, food, even humans like human body types and human nature. They notice all the subtle differences and distinctions among breeds, types, classifications. They also love field trips, even field trips by themselves, to go and interact directly with nature. These field experieces are often "crystallizing experiences" meaning they realize that they have this strong attraction to the natural world.

Naturalist intelligence is an aid to survival. It helps tell us what animals, plants, and foods are safe and dangerous, what weather patterns will help crops grow, when rivers will flood, when storms will come, etc.

Charles Darwin is often given as a textbook example of Naturalist intelligence. His voyage around the world on the Beagle at age 21 was a massive field trip and crystallized his drive to study to the natural world, which his family thought was more of a distraction and a waste of time.

Are you high in Naturalist intelligence? If you are teaching and/or have kids, it is important to recognize if they have high Naturalist intelligence so you can steer them toward crystallizing experiences that can help them recognize their gifts.

By the way -- there is another variation of Naturalist intelligence, an "urban" naturalist intelligence i.e. "jungle smarts" i.e. street smarts -- understanding the natural processes that go on in highly urbanized areas. This also is a survival skill.