This study aims to investigate how well student teachers identify common local species, their interest in and ideas about species identification, and their perceptions of the importance of species identification and biodiversity for sustainable development. The Nordic–Baltic students’ level of identification of species was tested using high quality photos of very common species. The student teachers’ ability to identify very common species was low. The authors also found that majority of students suggested that the most efficient teaching, studying and learning method is outdoor experiential learning, where learning is activated by experiences and the use of all senses in authentic environments with living plants and animals.