Synonyms for naturalist

This is a particular problem here in Italy where the term “naturalist” has the legal meaning of someone with a degree in the natural sciences (@radekwalkowiak). As I have no official qualifications, but have been a “naturalist” all my life by inclination, passion and knowledge, I find it really hard to define myself without giving a false impression. In English, I suppose “amateur naturalist” might just work (or perhaps not), but the equivalent in Italy has negative connotations.