Keeping a Nature Journal

Keeping a Nature Journal

Learn to observe closely

Keeping a nature journal has so many benefits! Journals are one of many ways to explore nature. Writing about and drawing what you see encourages you to sit quietly and observe closely. For this reason, many people find it to be a relaxing and grounding activity. If you keep a nature journal for many seasons, you can use it to track changes in the environment over time. And flipping back through your notes and sketches can also bring back memories of your experiences, not to mention some satisfaction and pride!

At the beginning of each entry, write down the date and time. Make observations about the weather, the clouds in the sky, what animals and plants were around you, sounds that you hear. How you use your journal after that is totally up to you!

image from a nature journal with notes and sketches of plantsHere are some prompts and suggestions to help get you started:

  • Draw a picture of a plant or flower. Are any insects interacting with it?
  • Draw a picture of an animal you can see. Write down some observations about its behavior.
  • Draw a picture of an insect.
  • Create your own imaginary animal that doesn’t exist. Give it adaptations to help it survive in the harshest climates.
  • Close your eyes for five minutes and listen to the noises around you. Write down the noises you heard, then try to draw a picture of what you think created that noise.
  • Compare and contrast a tree that has flowers vs. a tree that has cones.
  • Take a bark rubbing from a tree.
  • Take a leaf rubbing.
  • Use a magnifying glass and draw something up close.
  • Write down questions you have as you explore the natural world.
  • Draw the landscape in front of you!
  • See how many plants or animals you can identify in a five-minute period. Write them all down in a list.
  • Create a map.
  • Include pressed leaves or flowers.

> Download the activity sheet

Nature journal image courtesy of Jimmie Quick on Flickr.