Nature Companion

An Entry-Level Nature App for Canada's Four Western Provinces

You’re walking in a park or by a river and you spot a small frog, an orange butterfly, a bird pecking on a tree, or a shrub with red berries.  What is it?  Is the animal you spotted from a distance a coyote or a cougar? When your daughter asks you for name of the tall yellow flower growing beside the road, will you know the answer?

Developed for curious observers, people who are just beginning to take an interest in nature, Nature Companion is a free app/website introducing many of the plants and animals found in Canada’s four western provinces. In just one app, you’ll find basic information about over 300 common plants, trees, birds, animals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.

Nature Companion has “been a great teaching tool for my inquisitive kid who always asks me 1000 questions including what kind of bird or tree he's looking at... it’s nice to have that info accessible and easy to find. K. gives this app a big thumbs-up as does his mom who now knows which yellow bird is always in our yard (yellow warbler!).” (Nicole)

EcoFriendly Sask, a brother and sister duo based in Saskatoon, developed the app. Nature Companion is free (no ads, no sign up) and can be accessed either on or off line. It can be installed on your phone, your tablet, or your desktop computer. 

Whether you’re travelling in another province, an expert on birds but not on insects, young or old, or a new Canadian, we hope you will find Nature Companion a useful guide as you explore the natural world.

PS Check the Help (?) for assistance in installing the app. The first download may be slow, but it will then speed up

Omg! I NEED THIS! You don’t know how many of my own wise students have suggested not practising skills in a certain green area because of some poison ivy or stinging nettle that I just wasn’t aware of! I’m on a mission to know my plants and animals a bit more now! (Back40 Wilderness First Aid Training)