Observations, recognition of patterns and rhythms. These are the organismal foundations upon which we build our scientific knowledge. I weave natural history into my research, teaching, and outreach and service. A great example of this is the EEB undergraduate-led UTK Naturalist Club. This group of a dozen or so dedicated students meets regularly and enjoys exploring our local surroundings and ingesting natural history knowledge. Trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to tag Monarch butterflies, camping trips to local natural areas: these are some of the activities the Club enjoys. Contact me if you want to join or contribute to this Club’s efforts.