Nature Journaling: Some ideas and
links to get you started.
(Excerpted in part from Keeping
a Nature Journal, by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth)
What is nature journaling?
Nature journaling is the regular recording of observations, perceptions,
and feelings about the natural world around you. The recording can be done in a
variety of ways, depending on your interests and purpose. Some people prefer
written prose or poetry, some through drawing, painting or tape recording. There
are people who record data with mathematical precision, using scientific
shorthand. Many people use a combination of all these techniques.
Why keep a nature journal?
Many people keep journals to explore their own creativity and express
observations and experiences of the world more fully. Some keep journals to
record information and data about a place they may visit many times. They keep
journals to help improve and sharpen writing skills, and in the process learn to
observe better. Drawing is used as a prime record-making tool because drawing
and observing are mutually reinforcing activities. With practice, it can be
faster to draw a squirrel jumping from one branch to another than to write out a
full description of the squirrel's actions! Working in our journals gives us a
chance to slow down, reflect and focus on a place - and in the process we
establish a greater connection to the natural world. The information we collect
in our journals can be used for research projects and shared with scientists and
land managers that work in the areas we visit. Nature journaling helps you
develop a real sense of a place and your role in that place. In our busy world,
we often move quickly from place to place, without much thought or knowledge
about the actual landscape we live in. Nature journaling gives us the chance to
slow down and observe the world around
us.
Tools to get started:
Journal Most folks prefer the hardbound blank books
that come in various sizes. Zip lock bags make handy journal protectors and can
hold your drawing supplies as well.
Pencils and Pens HB (hard, firm lines for plants), 2B
(softer graphite for plants and birds), 3B (still softer for birds and animals)
The really soft drawing pencils smudge real easy. Regular pencils are usually
2B. Colored pencil sets are convenient for adding color to a sketch. Pens make
wonderful line and contour drawings and some people prefer them for writing.
Pencil sharpener
Technical drawing pencils These are always ready when
you need them, never needing sharpening.
Entering Observations: Basic Information
for each entry
In either the upper right- or the upper left-hand corner of your page record the
following, using both written word and illustration, as appropriate and desired:
1. Date/Time. Date establishes the season and month
in relation to the year. Time. Sometimes this can just be "mid-morning" or "late
afternoon", other times you will want to use an exact time (if you are
timing a slug's movement, for example).
2. Location. Where are you? Town and State? Park, campground, trailhead? If you
know your Latitude and Longitude (coordinates), record them.
3. Weather. Weather conditions affect the activity of most living things. Record
such things as wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, cloud patterns and cloud cover. For
more on clouds click here. They can be drawn in a little box, or
described.
4. Temperature. Scientists record temperature in Celsius. To convert from Fahrenheit
to Celsius: 5/9 F - 32 = C.
5. Plant and Animal List. Common or Latin names.
6. Habitat, the general environment you are in, such as wetland, forest, river,
etc.
Once you record this basic information, spend
some time observing the ground, things at eye-level, overhead observation, and
soak up the whole landscape you are in. You will naturally focus on the things
that you find most interesting, but as you expand your awareness, you will begin
to see things you have never noticed before. Using all of your senses to
make observations, use your writing and sketching skills to bring those
observations to life in your journal.
Some Sample Journal Pages:
Above: From Keeping A Nature Journal, by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth
Above: From the personal journal of Heidi Engle
Above: From the journal of Carolyn Duckworth, in Keeping a Nature Journal, by Clare Walker Leslie
A great article about nature journaling, to
inspire you!
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1997/07/3.html
An excellent nature journaling
bibliography, lots of great books here:
http://www.calacademy.org/research/library/biodiv/biblio/natjour.htm