Whether it's for birthday or national holiday, there are times when you want to give a special person in your life an extra special gift. If the gift you're shopping for is for your favorite nature lover, here are a few places to start:

Field Guides: These days there are field guides for everything imaginable. From minerals to mushrooms to mammals, there is a field guide for every possible interest. Field guides are wonderful because they're built for wear and tear. Many have waterproof, rip-proof covers that are meant to stand exposure to the elements. They can be tucked into a pocket or backpack and taken out into the field. Nature lovers just adore field guides.

Plant a Tree: The concept of planting a tree to honor a special occasion has been around for awhile. So why not consider planting a tree in honor of your favorite nature lover. What's nice about this choice of gift is that you have options. You can visit your local garden center or nursery and choose a tree to plant yourself (or for the recipient to plant if that's something they'd enjoy). But for a donation, you can also have a tree planted. Two wonderful organizations who do this are Trees for Life or the National Arbor Day Foundation. Trees for Life plants fruit trees in developing countries, to help sustain those in desperate need. Certificates honoring the recipient are sent to your special someone. With your donation, The National Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a National forest devastated by disaster such as wildfire.

Bird Feeders and other wildlife-friendly gifts: Pet stores, garden centers, and feed and seed supply stores often have large selections of wildlife-friendly gifts. You'll find not only birdfeeders and birdhouses, but also bat houses, lady bug homes, butterfly feeders, and nesting materials for birds, squirrels, and other small backyard critters, among other things. Any one of these would make a great gift for a nature enthusiast.

Donate: A donation in their honor is truly one of the best gifts you can give someone who loves the world around them. Whether you choose a wildlife organization or a charity that supports the rainforests, you can't go wrong with a gift like this. A gift that gives back the world they love will make any nature lover smile.

Whether you choose gardening tools or a wildlife-friendly charity, if you open your eyes to the world around you, you'll see dozens of ideas for gifts for the nature lover in your life. Be sure to wrap the gift in eco-friendly materials such as recycled papers and raffia. After all, it's the thought that counts, and few people understand this better than those in touch with the world of nature.