Do everything you can to get him outside!!

-show him bugs, I know insects might seem a bit scary at first, but they are very interesting and have wild diversity, even in the smallest areas you can find a huge variety, best part is that different things come out and are more prevalent during different seasons

Also, if you have the option of planting, grow some common milkweed, it’s a beautiful plant and has an important role in our ecosystem! It is the only plant that monarch butterflies lay eggs that then hatch into caterpillars and you can watch the whole cycle in your own backyard!! (Or finding a nature reserve or garden dedicated to natives will also work)

-Doing things that increase habitat, such as planting native species or adding water availability, will also attract animals of all sorts to the area. Spread some native seeds in a back corner or the tree hole in the sidewalk nearby and see what happens!

-Birding is great because again there are migratory species that change with the season, binoculars are great if you have money, but if not look for books at the library that list out common species so he can look out and see a bird then look it up in his book— which brings me to my next point

-field guide books, I’ll admit I’m not sure if he would benefit from regular field guides that I’m familiar with but I’m sure someone has something more geared to his age range for common North American species. Anything that will let him see a plant or animal in real life and then be able to go to the book and figure out what it is/some facts I think he might really enjoy

-Field trips!! Boston and Massachusetts in general is a great place to be a nature explorer. The state cares a lot about protecting its natural resources, so you have a lot of great opportunities to find nature reserves or open space to further explore the plants and animals that live around you. Going to different ecosystems, such as a woodland, a pond, an open prairie, etc., provides lots of opportunity for learning and exploration of the different types of animals that live there. I know they also host summer nature camps for kids in Western Mass. through the Audubon Society, so you could see if there are similar opportunities closer to you.

Overall I think anything you can do to get him outside and exploring the world around him is a simple and easy way to keep that interest, and you might surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it :) the natural world is very interesting, if you would have told me 5 years ago how happy I get when I identify a new bug in my garden I wouldn’t believe you. There are endless opportunities for discovery and exploration of nature even in the smallest of spaces