Smell of the Wild: Observing Nature with Your Nose
Thu Feb 05 2026
Scientists use most of their senses to conduct observations, a critical step in conducting research, and one of those senses is SMELL. We might not think of nature as being smelly, but we get so many of our everyday smells from nature. From the scents in our perfumes, deodorants, or candles to bringing nature into our homes to change the smell (think flowers or pine branches during the holidays) to our cleaning products, nature provides an abundance of smells.
In this video, you'll learn about the different smells in nature and be prompted to step outside and start observing the natural world, focusing on your sense of smell to discover things you've never noticed before. Go on a "Smelling Safari" and see how many different scents your nose can pick up!
In addition to the good smells of nature, there are also many that aren't so good. Discover interesting plants like the corpse plant and skunk cabbage, and why these plants have stinky smells to begin with. Explore how animals use scents for communication.
Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/.
Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more.
🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/
Resources mentioned in this video:
👉Merlin BirdID app
✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/
🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/
📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/
🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/
I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world.
🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg
Full show notes:
👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/146-smell
Let’s connect! 🤝✨
Website: https://fancyscientist.com/
Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/
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Scientists use most of their senses to conduct observations, a critical step in conducting research, and one of those senses is SMELL. We might not think of nature as being smelly, but we get so many of our everyday smells from nature. From the scents in our perfumes, deodorants, or candles to bringing nature into our homes to change the smell (think flowers or pine branches during the holidays) to our cleaning products, nature provides an abundance of smells. In this video, you'll learn about the different smells in nature and be prompted to step outside and start observing the natural world, focusing on your sense of smell to discover things you've never noticed before. Go on a "Smelling Safari" and see how many different scents your nose can pick up! In addition to the good smells of nature, there are also many that aren't so good. Discover interesting plants like the corpse plant and skunk cabbage, and why these plants have stinky smells to begin with. Explore how animals use scents for communication. Does your child love animals? Support and grow your child's passion for wildlife in my free training, Animals Everywhere! Parents, caretakers, and educators: You'll discover how to get your child outside, curious, and engaged in REAL science for a lifetime of experiential learning...without one-off kits, a lot of time, or complicated instructions. Enroll here to reserve your spot: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-everywhere/. Are you a parent wanting to get your kids outside and learning about wildlife? Join the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club! Every week, you'll receive exclusive access to the accompanying downloadable activities, printables, get connected with a community of like-minded individuals, and more. 🦊 Enroll in the Wildlife Biology for Kids Club here: https://stephanieschuttler.com/wildlife-biology-kids-program/ Resources mentioned in this video: 👉Merlin BirdID app ✍️ SIGN UP for my next FREE training: https://fancyscientist.com/3-pillars-to-success/ 🗺️ Get my FREE wildlife career guide: https://fancyscientist.com/wildlife-career-success-guide/ 📚 Read Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology: What It’s Like and What You Need to Know: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Wildlife-Biology-What/dp/B08JDYXS4G/ 🚀 Work with me! Programs: https://stephanieschuttler.com/work-with-me/ I’m Dr. Stephanie Manka (formerly Schuttler), a wildlife biologist of 20 yrs who is on a mission to empower wildlife professionals and break stereotypes of scientists so they can get jobs, live out their life’s purpose and make a difference in this world. 🎥 How I became a wildlife biologist: https://youtu.be/zBvHRDO7gIg Full show notes: 👉https://stephanieschuttler.com/146-smell Let’s connect! 🤝✨ Website: https://fancyscientist.com/ Getting a Job in Wildlife Biology Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gettingajobinwildlifebiology YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FancyScientist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fancy_scientist/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sgschuttler/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fancyscientist/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FancyScientist Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fancy_scientist Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fancyscientist.bsky.social Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/fancyscientist/