There is nothing like bringing nature to a blank page. The mindful recording through nature journaling brings a creative calmness not found in many activities theses days.

The Legacy of Journaling

Like the principle of Sankofa we can still look back to ways we have forgotten and bring them forward. It is thanks to those who illustrated the beauty of nature in the past, for science or personal satisfaction, that we can appreciate the passage of time and how it has affected the environment.

The naturalist, educator and proponent of Nature Journaling, John Muir Laws, the father of modern day nature journaling, is a great resource providing information for all skill sets.

Nature journaling is a therapeutic and knowledge building activity for all ages. It is a way to record your observations, thoughts, and sketches about the natural world. Through writing, art, and science, it offers a unique way to connect with nature and learn more about the environment around you.

Young people take to it naturally, and it is a great project for home schooling. Adults tend to be a little more apprehensive, as visions of beautiful Victorian botanical illustrations, like the one above, can make you feel that your nature sketches fall short. A nature journal is about building your confidence as a nature recorder, not about comparisons with anyone else.

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or just someone looking to unwind, nature journaling can offer numerous benefits both to the writer and to the subject matter being observed. Here’s a guide to get you started with nature journaling, including the best materials, tools, and some helpful resources.

The Many Benefits of Nature Journaling

1. Enhanced Observation Skills: Nature journaling requires you to pay close attention to the details of your surroundings. It helps to develop your natural ability to feel what is happening around you. Whether you’re observing a bird’s behavior or the texture of a tree bark, the practice helps to fine-tune your senses and increases your awareness of the environment.
   
2. Mindfulness and Stress Relief: Being in nature and documenting your observations helps you stay present in the moment, which is a key principle of mindfulness. The process of writing and sketching can help lower stress and anxiety, creating a soothing escape from daily life.
   
3. Improved Creativity: By combining art and writing, nature journaling nurtures your creativity, and encourages you to have confidence in your abilities to record your perceptions in a way that is unique to you. The act of drawing and describing your environment pushes you to think creatively, seeing the world around you in new ways.
   
4. Mental Clarity and Reflection: Writing in a journal can help process thoughts and emotions., and develop critical thinking skills. When you’re surrounded by nature, it can also give you the space to reflect on life and experience moments of clarity or insight. By observing nature you learn as much about yourself as what you are observing.
   
5. Scientific Understanding: If you’re interested in biology, ecology, or conservation, nature journaling can deepen your understanding of the natural world. By recording observations of flora and fauna, you can track seasonal changes, migration patterns, and other environmental shifts.

Connecting With the Outdoors

Your corner of the world is unique in its own way, and nature journals serve as a record of changes in the environment over time. This can be especially important for tracking ecological shifts, such as the impact of climate change or the introduction of invasive species. Your journal may even contribute to scientific data if shared with researchers or naturalists.

By paying closer attention to nature, you can build environmental awareness and become a more conscious environmental steward. A deeper understanding of your natural space can lead to a more response to protect and preserve natural spaces.

Starting a nature journal is easy and doesn’t require any special expertise. Here are some steps to help you get started:

5 Easy Steps to Begin Your Journaling

1. Choose a Location You don’t need to travel far to start journaling. Your own backyard, a local park, or a nearby trail can offer plenty of inspiration. Nature is everywhere, and the more you look, the more you’ll find to observe.
   
2. Set an Intention Think about what you want to observe. Are you focusing on plants, animals, weather, or perhaps the changing seasons? Setting an intention will give you a clear focus for your journaling.
   
3. Observe and Record Spend some time quietly observing the environment around you. Take note of sounds, colors, textures, and smells. Write down anything that stands out, no matter how small. Don’t forget to include the date and location of your entry to track changes over time.
   
4. Sketch You don’t have to be an artist to include sketches in your journal. Simple drawings are fine as this is not an art class and it will help capture the details of what you’re seeing, whether it’s a flower’s petal arrangement, an animal’s tracks, or the shape of a cloud. The goal is not to create a perfect piece of art but to engage with the environment in a way that helps you connect with it more deeply.
   
5. Reflect After observing and recording, spend a moment reflecting on the experience. How did it make you feel? Did you learn something new about the natural world or yourself? Writing about your emotions and insights can add depth to your journaling practice.

“With just paper and pen, people who are passionate about a place may be as well equipped as anyone to protect it.”
—Carolyn Duckworth, naturalist-writer-teacher

Go Big or Go Home, Tools to Get You Started

The truth is you can go as big as you want and pack everything you need in a backpack, or just carry a sketch book and pencil. However, once you get the bug, and build your confidence, you will find more creative ways to record your observations. Here is a comprehensive list of optional tools:

1. Notebooks
   • Field Notes: These small, durable notebooks are easy to carry and perfect for field journaling. Their compact size makes them ideal for outdoor adventures.
   • Moleskine or Leuchtturm1917 Notebooks: These high-quality journals come in various sizes and feature thick pages, ideal for both writing and sketching.
   • Waterproof Paper Notebooks: If you’re journaling in wet conditions, waterproof notebooks (like Rite in the Rain) will help keep your notes intact, even in rainy weather.
     
2. Pencils and Pens
   • Graphite Pencils: A good set of pencils (e.g., 2B or 4B) will help you make light sketches as well as deeper shading.
   • Micron Pens: These fine-tipped pens are waterproof and perfect for making detailed lines and notes.
   • Colored Pencils: If you want to add color to your sketches, watercolor pencils or colored pencils are excellent options.
     
3. Watercolors and Brushes
   • Watercolor Set: A compact travel watercolor set with a small brush will allow you to add vibrant colors to your journal.
   • Portable Watercolor Brushes: These brushes come with a water reservoir, making them ideal for outdoor use.
     
4. Magnifying Glass and Ruler
   • Magnifying Glass: Helps you examine tiny details in nature, like the texture of a leaf or insect features.
   • Ruler: Useful for drawing straight lines or measuring distances when documenting natural features.

The Best Places to Go For Nature Journaling

Where do you want to start? The truth is where nature is, that is where you start. It does not have to be a far location, already being familiar with a place may be an advantage.

Parks and Nature Reserves: You never know what you will find as there are often accessible trails and diverse ecosystems, offering lots to explore and document.

Botanical Gardens: If you prefer a formal environment, local botanical gardens provide a wealth of plant life and wildlife to observe.

Beaches, Lakes, or Rivers: Waterways offer unique natural scenes, including aquatic plants, birds, and other wildlife.

Woods and Forests: Dense forests are rich in flora and fauna, making them perfect for in-depth journaling sessions.

Your Own Backyard: Don’t forget that nature is all around you. Flowers, insects, trees, and even the changing weather can inspire your journal entries.

Final Thoughts and Resources

Nature journaling is a rewarding activity that connects you on a focused level to the world around you. Whether you’re observing a flower, a bird, or the changing sea, the act of recording and reflecting helps you build a communion with nature. All you need is a curiosity and a willingness to learn. So, grab a notebook, head outside, and begin your journey into the natural world.

• Books:
  • The Nature Journal by Clare Walker Leslie
    
  • Keeping a Nature Journal by John Muir Laws
    
  • The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair (for those interested in identifying plants)

• Online Communities and Courses:
  • The Nature Journal Club: Offers workshops, online courses, and resources for aspiring nature journalers.
  • Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference: An annual event with courses.

Join the conversation. Share your thoughts in the comments below. In addition, you can subscribe to our blog by adding your email to the form on the right. You will be the first to hear about our latest updates.