Start Journaling Now!
What is Nature Journaling?
Nature journaling is the practice of documenting your nature observations, inquiries and musings in a notebook through writing, images and quantification. Keeping a nature journal is the single most powerful tool for deepening your engagement with and appreciation for the natural world.
At its core, nature journaling is built off of three simple but powerful principles for looking more closely:
- Observing (‘I Notice’)
- Asking questions (‘I Wonder’)
- Making connections to past observations (‘It Reminds Me Of’).
Each of these tools works together with the other two, and each provides different lenses of inquiry for observing your subject. Most nature journalers start their page with observing, then ask questions and make connections based off of their initial observations.
Nature journaling also incorporates several ways of translating these thoughts onto paper. Almost all nature journalers use three ways of getting their thinking down: images, writing, and quantification. Images can be in the form of a drawing, diagrams, maps, fun icons and even photographs if you’re short on time (although this last option does not engage your brain as much as physical pen-on-paper methods). Writing activates a different part of your brain from visual media, and includes paragraphs, short written notes, poetry, etc. Quantification refers to numbers-based observations such as counting, measurements, timing, graphs, and plots. Using all three of these methods to document your outdoor ramblings helps to fully involve your brain in journaling. Keeping a nature journal is as much ‘brain exercise’ as anything else!
But I Can’t Draw!
You do not need to be an artist or poet to start keeping your own nature notebook. Favor a “language” that is more comfortable for you on your page- for example, use mostly writing with a little doodle here and there. You can start right now! Take a spare notepad or clipboard and pencil and start documenting anything natural that is interesting to you- a houseplant, fruit from the grocery store, the tree outside your window, sparrows at the birdfeeder. Just like any new skill, you will not produce perfect journal pages right away- it will probably be messy at first. This is a process that takes time to develop, and each nature journaler is always adding new techniques and practices to his or her tool kit. You will be amazed at the new things you notice when you start journaling, along with the fascinating curiosity rabbit-holes you go down through copious questioning.
Make It Your Own
One of the most important things to remember about nature journaling is that your journal’s format, process, regularity and look are entirely up to you- there is no one “right” way to keep a nature journal. Some journalers really like the art side of the practice, and carry watercolors or colored pencils with them. Others write beautiful poems about their subject. You may find that you like to collage real nature objects on your pages using tape! You don’t necessarily have to journal every day, either. While I have found that a regular habit of getting outside with my sketchbook (about once or twice a week) helps me to stay in the zone and grow in my practice, a different schedule may work for you. Some journalers (like me) were already interested in nature through birding or gardening, and picked up journaling as a way to look more closely at their subjects.
Supplies for Nature Journaling
The bare minimum supplies needed to start nature journaling are a rigid notepad or sketchbook from the craft store and mechanical pencil or ballpoint pen. However, you may eventually find that more art-friendly tools help you to work better while journaling.
- Sketchbook: An artist-oriented sketchbook, like those produced by Canson and Strathmore, will have nicer paper that takes pencil and paint better and is more durable. Spiral-bound sketchbooks with paper covers tend to fall apart over time- try and find a durable hardbound sketchbook like this one from Canson. I also highly recommend this sketchbook designed by nature journal educator John Muir Laws, with the nature journaler in mind. The rubber band keeps pages from flopping in the wind, while the last few pages have helpful tips for drawing and journaling. This notebook is my personal favorite.
- Pencil/Pen: A reliable mechanical pencil like the Pentel Twist-erase series will produce consistent lines with fewer lead breaks. If you prefer to work in pen, try the Bic Atlantis or, for the best ink flow, refillable pens made for businesspeople. Fiber-tip art pens give wonderful line variation with no blobbing. A note on pencil vs. pen: while I love the soft, detailed lines of a pencil, I personally have found that ballpoint pens produce darker, more forceful lines that show up better in sunlight, and don’t smudge easily like graphite. Each journaler has their own preference on these tools.
- Non-photo Blue Pencil: You may be wondering why this seemingly random tool is included in this list. However, a really light pencil turns out to be extremely useful for blocking in your pre-drawing before putting in more decisive, detailed lines. Getting the proportions, posture and angles right before committing to details helps immensely for avoiding problems in your drawing later on. Many artists use this trick, and if you rely a lot on drawings to show what you are seeing, the Prismacolor Col-erase Non-photo Blue copy-not 20028 pencil is your best bet. This specific product works best for making light lines before your main drawing, which then fade away underneath darker details without need for erasing.
- Journaling Bag: Most nature journalers find that their supplies are too bulky to fit in their pocket or hold in the hand, especially if you use binoculars. A backpack could work, but is hard to get to when you need stuff quickly. I have found that an over-the-shoulder bag that sits down at the waist keeps my tools at my fingertips- most shoulder bags are too small or designed for computers, but the one design that has really worked for me is this dedicated nature journaling bag designed by John Muir Laws and made in the USA by a small business in Maine. The bag’s durable fabric, comfortable strap, waterproof zippers and numerous pockets all make it the best bag for journalers out there, in my opinion. If you are able, invest in a good bag for your supplies- it will make journaling much more enjoyable.
- Color: Some journalers lean towards artistic expression in their journals and want to add color to their pages. Colored pencils are the easiest way to start if you don’t have formal training- try Prismacolor’s sets. Watercolor paints are another good option- they dry quickly and produce beautiful effects, however they can be a frustrating medium without instruction on their use. You can buy ready-made, compact watercolor palettes with paint ready to go here. With regards to brushes, I use a Pentel waterbrush with water in the handle, which makes transitioning between colors and adding water to a page so much easier.
Do not consider these supplies must-haves for dipping your toes in the practice- they can come later on as you grow your journaling habit.
Further Resources
Read more about the ideas behind nature journaling, its main tenets, and tools you can incorporate into your practice.
My website features numerous pages on supplies, drawing techniques, and other aspects of journaling that you might find helpful. Some of these are linked below:
John Muir Laws
Naturalist, field guide author and artist John Muir Laws is one of the world’s foremost leaders in nature journaling, and has played an enormous part in evolving the movement and practices to their current point. I have found his content to be engaging, fun and practical for building up my journaling and artwork. He has written several books on the subject, and runs a website dedicated to helping others keep nature journals. Visit some of the links below to learn more:
The Laws Guide the Nature Drawing and Journaling
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds
International Nature Journaling Week: A yearly event designed to equip journalers with new skills while focusing on an overarching theme. Find out more here: https://www.naturejournalingweek.com/
Wild Wonder: An annual conference featuring numerous speakers and talents, Wild Wonder is perhaps the most comprehensive event for those journalers seeking connection to others in the practice as well as instruction in new skills. Check out the latest news on the next Wild Wonder Conference here: https://www.wildwonder.org/wild-wonder-nature-journaling-conference-2023
The Wild Wonder Foundation also runs an excellent site that features information on upcoming events as well as materials on journaling techniques: https://www.wildwonder.org/
The Nature Journal Club Facebook Page is a great way to connect virtually with like-minded folks, while also receiving feedback and help with your own journal pages: https://www.facebook.com/groups/232418176925001/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=2503653399801456
The current issues with declining biological diversity and increasing urbanization are flying under the radar due to our society’s large-scale disconnection from the natural world (especially in Gen Z). What can be done to solve this problem? Turns out, nature journaling is the bridge to fill the gap between nature and citizen. Attention to and appreciation of nature are touchstones that open up pathways to involvement in conservation, awareness of biodiversity declines, and citizen science. Nature journaling fosters this appreciation in a unique way through sustained, repeated and focused observation of flora and fauna around you. As a nature journal educator, one of the main reasons I teach journaling to others is because of its ability to build bridges between the journaler and nature, which then leads to concern for declines in diversity and a desire to support conservation initiatives.
I wish you the best in your journaling adventure!
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