I have mentioned the term nature journaling several times. But what is it actually? Let me state that a blog of mine is absolutely insufficient to do this activity justice. I will start here and refer to some nature journalists and books at the end of the blog.
Nature journaling is noticing things or behaviors in nature. It may raise questions for you. Or it may remind you of something. For example, during a walk in the forest I saw a large orange slug. I looked at it more closely and saw a ribbed pattern on the back of its body. That reminded me of the ribs on the body of a humpback whale. I also saw a kind of opening on one side of the head. I wondered what that was for. After searching on the internet, it turned out to be the slug’s respiratory organ.
With nature journaling you can record these observations, questions, memories and possibly answers in a notebook. You can do that with drawings, words, diagrams. Whatever you want. After all, it is your diary.
You may now think that you might as well take a photo. Of course you can (also) take a photo. But practice shows that drawing and/or writing ensures that you remember these observations and knowledge better. You also see more in nature. And you get a better understanding of and connection with nature. It works even better if you say the observations and questions out loud.
The goal is not to make beautiful drawings or produce beautiful poetry. Of course it is allowed! Drawing or writing ensures that the knowledge is retained better.
John Muir Laws and Amy Tan are world-famous nature journalists. If you look at their (diary)books, you see beautiful drawings. But they keep emphasizing that this is only possible by mainly wondering and drawing a lot. Making meters, they call that.
Laws has published a beautiful book in which you can read everything about nature journaling.
He really takes you by the hand in this. John Muir Laws also has many informative videos on YouTube. His enthusiasm is infectious. His website can be accessed via this link.
The website of the Wild Wonder organization also contains a lot of information. You can find the website here.
Since the end of February 2025, you can download an app from the Wild Wonder organization.
In this app you can search for nature journalists in your area. Get ideas from others. Share your own diary notes, etc.
If you prefer to read in Dutch, Mirja Brandorff’s book is a godsend. In her book you will (also) find empty pages in which you can draw/write down seasonal observations and wonders. You can read more about Mirja on her website.