Flowers are blooming, trees are awash in fresh green leaves, allergies are going nuts, and suddenly the garden center is a hot spot of activity every weekend: spring has finally arrived. And there’s no better time to develop or renew an interest in the natural world than when the world itself is experiencing renewal! Whatever your interest–whether you’re fascinated by plants or animals, or even the environment as a whole–this spring has brought us a plethora of new books to help you dive in and learn something new. Read on for some of this season’s top picks.

If you’ve ever wondered what birds show up in your backyard or which species you see when your family is on vacation, then this beautiful, freshly updated bird guide from the National Audubon Society is perfect for you. This book covers more than 800 species of birds found in North America. Each entry includes a physical description, as well as information on what their call/song sounds like, what part of the continent they are found on, and their nesting habits. Birds are presented in a logical fashion-related species are together–and there are thousands of pictures, making it easier than ever to identify any individual bird.

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It’s nearly impossible to not be aware of some of the many ways humans are negatively affecting our planet, but for many of us, the solutions seem simply overwhelming. Environmentalist and activist Tessa Wardley presents a series of easy-to-implement solutions in this reader-friendly book. Each big subject is tackled one at a time, with the issue broken down into understandable terms and one or more practical solutions that anyone can implement into their own life. The issues are sorted into categories–home, out and about, work, food, activism–and the many colorful illustrations are eye-catching, encouraging you to keep reading and keep changing.

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Human beings are technically animals, though we have tried for pretty much our entire existence to separate ourselves from the natural world. We have used our brains to invent all manner of philosophy and ideology to justify the many physical ways we’ve separated ourselves from animals and to make acceptable the ways we treat animals and the rest of the environment. Melanie Challenger’s new book explores humanity’s complicated relationship with its own animalistic nature throughout history, as well as how the barriers we’ve constructed between ourselves and nature may affect the future of the planet.

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The field of medicine is always evolving, and that includes veterinary medicine as well. Dr. Marty Goldstein has been a veterinarian for decades, and for much of that time, he has been a pioneer and champion for integrative medical practices for pets. His new book presents readers with the latest, most up-to-date information on how anybody can use integrative medicine to help their pets live their best lives. Readers will learn how they can use nutritional supplements and various therapies to keep their pets healthy, and they’ll also learn about a variety of subjects they may have never thought deeply about before, such as cancer treatment, vaccinations, animal spirituality, and more.

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The National Audubon Society has pulled together a collection of respected experts to compile this gorgeous field guide to the trees on the North American continent. Readers can use this book to identify more than 540 different species of trees; each entry includes information about where the tree can be found as well as its bark, fruit, flowers, leaf shape, and more. And thousands of color photographs combined with a smart, well-thought-out organization system seal the deal, making it easier than ever to figure out which trees are in your yard or are along the trail while you’re hiking. Every nature lover needs this guide.

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