Naturalism is the practice of closely observing, systematically collecting, and accurately documenting elements of the natural world in order to study, understand, and preserve them. It began to take shape in the late 17th and 18th centuries, influenced by Enlightenment ideals and early scientific exploration, and evolved alongside the rise of natural history as a discipline. By the 19th century, naturalist practices had matured into a widespread movement—embodied by figures like Theodore Roosevelt, who from childhood through his presidency engaged in field observation, specimen collection, and detailed documentation, ultimately shaping both scientific understanding and conservation policy.
