Keeping a Nature Journal: Why and How to Do It

I have used the quote below to introduce my topic.  The bold print is my own to emphasize one of the benefits of nature journaling.

https://www.freelancewriting.com/journal-writing/nature-journaling/
​by Dr. Ruth Wilson

"I’ve been keeping a nature journal on and off over the past twenty-five years and have found it helpful in deepening my connection with nature. By journaling, I’ve become more observant of the sights, sounds, scents, and feel of what’s around me in the natural world. I notice, for example, not just the fact that I’m walking through a forest or a grove of trees but that individual trees have unique characteristics—some have leaves shaped like stars, some have seeds that rattle in the wind, and some have bark as smooth as sanded wood. I like to record these observations along with unusual or surprising sightings, like a porcupine in the branches of a cottonwood tree or a family of quails in our backyard. One day, my surprise was finding a hummingbird’s nest with the tiniest eggs I’ve ever seen. I date my journal entries and find it interesting to compare my observations of particular places and things in nature from one season to another and from one year to another." 

A wealth has been written on journaling in general and nature notebooking in particular.  It is a common activity in those following a Charlotte Mason-styled approach to education, but it did not start with her.  Before photography, the natural world was recorded in pencil and paint.  It was a way of documenting explorations and discoveries.  Consider the incredibly detailed Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, who recorded plants, animals, rivers, maps, Indians, and experiences or John James Audubon whose classic work The Birds of America depicted the fowls of America.  The “Father of the National Parks,” John Muir kept a nature journal of his many nature travels.
 
With all that a busy homeschooling family must do, why should you consider spending time on this activity?  
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One benefit of keeping a nature journal is that it will increase patience and skills of observation. Keeping a nature journal can be done when you feel inclined or on a more regular basis.  That is up to you.  I do find, though, that making a time for journaling will make it more likely to happen.  Also, allow for those spontaneous opportunities to drop everything and grab the notebook. 
 
For example, a bird might fly into view for a brief few moments.  That opportunity isn’t going to wait until your kids finish their math lesson.

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What if you and your kids can’t draw? 
 
Whatever we practice tends to improve over time, so I
wouldn’t be judgmental about yours or your children’s
efforts.  Do have some quality supplies, at least the
basics:  a couple of sharp pencils, erasers, colored
pencils, a sketch pad. Later, you can add in some watercolors or acryllics.  Your nature sketches can become the basis for more full-blown artworks.
 
Did you know that you can BUY inspiration!  Yes!  Art journalists need inspiration and a beautiful classic journal to invest in is Edith Holden’s, The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady.  Inside, she has drawn and painted what she sees each month in her English countryside and she has added notes of explanation. 
 
Why not pattern your nature notebooking after hers for one year?  How does your landscape change from season to season and month to month?
 
Another idea is to choose a theme.  Perhaps your family will draw birds , insects, leaves, mushrooms, or animals?  A trip to the zoo is a fun place to draw.  We did this with our nature notebooks one time and I learned two things that made an impression on me: 1)  Most people hardly look at the animals for 15 seconds!  2) When drawing a zebra, I had never realized that their mane isn’t all black or all white, but alternates, just like the stripes on their hide.
 
To keep things fresh, change the media from time to time.  Some kids really like pencils; others quickly tire of that.  Try markers or pen and ink.  Use colored construction paper with pastels or chalk.
 
Some good resources for delving into this fun and educational activity:
 
Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Leslie Walker
Nature Drawing: A Tool for Learning by Clare Leslie Walker
Wild Days: Creating Discovery Journals by Karen Skidmore Rackliffe
 
Nature journaling combines art, science, and writing in one.  It facilitates family togetherness.  It’s a good use of your time!
 
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