Apps to Enhance Your Outdoor Experience

(Updated: Jan. 29, 2026, 4:18 p.m.)
hemlock covered in snow

It happens every year in western North Carolina. The forecast mentions "accumulation," the bread and milk disappear from the Ingles shelves, and suddenly we’re all staring out our windows at the same frost-covered hemlocks.

But being stuck inside (or just in your own backyard) doesn’t have to mean a break from nature. In fact, winter is one of the best times to sharpen your naturalist skills. With the leaves gone, the "bones" of the forest are visible, and the birds are easier to spot against the gray sky.

Whether you're sipping coffee by the fire or taking a crisp walk in the Pisgah National Forest, these six apps can enhance your outdoor experience.  All these apps should be available on Android and iOS smartphones.

1. Merlin Bird ID

If you’ve ever heard a high-pitched cheep from a thicket and wondered who was singing, this app is your new best friend. Developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Merlin Bird Id can identify birds by a photo you take or—most impressively—by recording their song in real-time.  You can keep track of the birds you find to create a life list. 
Bird at birdfeeder in winter

2. Seek by iNaturalist


Seek is the "entry-level" version of iNaturalist, designed with a clean, easy-to-use interface that’s perfect for kids (and adults who don't want to create an account).  You simply point your camera at a plant, bug, or fungus, and the AI identifies it on the spot.  There is a gaming aspect that young people love.


3. iNaturalist


Once you’ve "graduated" from Seek, iNaturalist allows you to contribute to actual scientific research. Every time you upload a photo of a mushroom or a set of tracks in the snow, you’re helping biologists map biodiversity across the Southern Appalachians.


4. Virginia Tech Tree Identification


Identifying trees is easier when they have leaves. It’s a lot harder when they’re just bare sticks. The vTree app is great for tree ID, offering factsheets of over 1,000 woody plants with thousands of color images of leaves, flowers, fruit, twigs, bark, and form.  Use the "GPS Location" feature to narrow down exactly which trees are native to your specific ridge or valley in WNC.


5. SoilWeb


Do you want to get the dirt on your soil?  SoilWeb uses your GPS to access USDA soil survey data, telling you exactly what kind of "dirt" is under your feet (or under the snow).  Use this time inside to research your soil type so you can plan your spring native plant garden.


6. Invasive Plants in Southern Forests


This app is based on the U.S. Forest Service publication: A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. This app provides information of accurate identification of the 56 nonnative plants and groups that are currently invading the forests of the 13 southern states.
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Molly Sandfoss
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