Available now · Free · iOS
Field reference for Montana’s living world
Montana Field Guide is part of the Nature Tools field software ecosystem.
Montana biodiversity, built for the field.
Montana Field Guide is a free iOS reference app for exploring Montana’s species, photos, maps, natural-history notes, conservation context, seasonal patterns, and field-friendly search in one mobile tool.
Built by Nature Tools, it brings together species knowledge and practical browsing for naturalists, educators, hunters, anglers, hikers, land managers, students, Montana residents, and visitors who want to understand the living world around them.
Start broadly. Search precisely. Learn in context.
Move from curiosity to context: start with a life group, search by name or clue, explore species pages, compare related organisms, and use maps, charts, photos, conservation notes, and seasonal context to understand what you are seeing.
Explore by life group
Browse major groups of Montana life, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, fungi, lichens, flowering plants, invertebrates, and more. Beginners get a place to start; serious naturalists get structure.
Start from discovery paths
Use Photo-rich species, Mapped Species, Habitat Clues, Conservation Notes, Species of Concern, and Seasonal Discovery when you know the clue but not the organism.
Search beyond names
Search by common name, scientific name, alternate names, species notes, clade, family, habitat content, seasonality, conservation signals, photos, maps, and Species of Concern context.
Species pages built for field learning
Species pages may include photos, range maps, observation maps, activity charts, elevation charts, habitat notes, ecology, diagnostic characteristics, management context, threats, references, taxonomy, related species, and side-by-side saved-species comparison.
For people learning Montana’s living world.
Montana Field Guide is useful for serious naturalists, educators, hunters, anglers, hikers, land managers, students, photographers, iNaturalist users, Montana residents, and visitors who want stronger species context before, during, or after a field day.
- Naturalists learning Montana’s species and habitats
- Educators and students working with biodiversity and natural history
- Hunters, anglers, hikers, and outdoor travelers who want better ecological context
- Land managers, conservation professionals, and agency staff who need quick reference
- Montana residents and visitors curious about the living world around them
- Photographers and iNaturalist users who want stronger species context
Designed to work away from a desk.
The core dataset is bundled inside the app for dependable browsing and search. Viewed media can be cached on the device for faster repeat access. There are no accounts to create, no subscriptions, and no ad-tech tracking in the current release path.
A field reference, not a regulatory authority.
Montana Field Guide brings together species reference content, photos, maps, taxonomy, charts, and conservation context for Montana biodiversity. Content depth varies by species because available source material and media vary by species.
- Montana species reference content
- Species photos and maps where available
- Taxonomy and natural-history context
- Conservation and Species of Concern context
- Content depth varies by species and available media.
- Use official agency sources for regulatory, legal, management, permitting, or conservation decisions.
- The app is a field reference and learning tool, not a legal authority.
Common questions.
Is Montana Field Guide free?
Yes. Montana Field Guide is free.
Does it work in the field?
Yes. The app is designed for field-friendly browsing and search, with the core dataset bundled inside the app.
Does every species have photos and maps?
No. Species content varies depending on available data, source material, and media.
Is it only for experts?
No. Montana Field Guide is useful for serious naturalists, but it is also built for curious beginners who want to learn what lives around them.
Can I search without knowing a species name?
Yes. You can browse by life group, use curated discovery paths, and run filter-only searches based on context such as clade, family, photos, maps, habitat notes, seasonality, or conservation content.
Does it replace official conservation or management guidance?
No. Use official agency sources for regulatory, legal, management, permitting, or conservation decisions.
Start exploring Montana’s living world.
Montana Field Guide is a free, field-friendly biodiversity reference from Nature Tools.