By Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but have never made time for?
Nature journaling has been on my “list” for several years. So I was thrilled when Eleanor Harris, Managing Director at the Clifton Institute and enthusiastic nature journaler, offered to lead a nature journaling program at Blandy in mid-March. What a great opportunity to learn from an expert!
Nature journaling is sketching or writing outside with the goal of learning about nature. There are many reasons to practice nature journaling. Some people journal to become better attuned to the natural world. Others just appreciate the excuse to sit outside and spend some quality time with colored pencils. Not a natural artist? No worries! In her program, Eleanor stressed that the secret to getting started is to release yourself from the expectation that your observations should be perfect or profound. Keep at it, put in those “pencil miles,” and you’ll soon be journaling with the best of them!
I’ve challenged myself to nature journal at least once a week this spring. Following Eleanor’s advice, I’ll find a “sit spot”—a place to regularly revisit to observe changes over time. I’ll use three prompts to guide my observations during each session:
- I notice…
- I wonder…
- It reminds me of…
To prove that artistic merit doesn’t count, here is my first, totally unvarnished journal entry in this series, completed over a 15 minute lunch break. (See? Surely you can do better than that!) If I’m feeling brave, I might post my entries on the Blandy Facebook page every once and awhile. You can help me decide if I’m improving!
Here are a few ways to learn more about nature journaling:
- Explore prompts and how-to resources from author John Muir Laws;
- Learn from Eleanor Harris on the Clifton Institute YouTube channel; or,
- See examples of other nature journal entries in our area on the NOVA Nature Journal Club Facebook group.