There are significant personal benefits to keeping any type of journal and nature journaling is a particularly great way to connect with the natural world. Studies show that mental clarity, creativity, and problem-solving skills can increase with journaling. Additionally, boosts in confidence, emotional intelligence, and self-discipline have also been recorded along with improvements to memory and writing skills. We also know that time spent in nature has positive impacts on our health and well-being. When we couple these two practices, we can maximize personal benefits while also building deeper respect and appreciation for the natural world.

Nature journaling can take many forms and the great news is, there’s no wrong way to go about it. You may decide to sketch the plants or animals you’re seeing, describe your surroundings in detailed flowery stanzas, or even write about your questions, thoughts, and feelings.

The more detailed you can be with your nature journaling when you start, the better foundation you will build for keeping up the practice and feeling excited about your journaling activities. Observe with all five senses and acknowledge what you’re feeling mentally and emotionally.

Nature journaling can even be done retrospectively. It’s often nice to reflect on natural experiences from the past. You may choose to write about an experience that you had that is no longer possible, a time that triggered your desire to spend more time with nature, or an event that inspired you to learn about a specific species or habitat.

Beginning a nature journal can open opportunities for connection with nature and with others. Consider nature journaling as a family or a group. This will offer you lots of ideas and perspectives. We all need inspiration occasionally, to motivate us in experiences like these. Lean on one another to help grow your nature journaling experience.

Nature journaling is a great experience for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Nature doesn’t have to be some deeply dense wild space untouched by humans. You can nature journal from your backyard, porch, or a window — so long as you have paper and pen to record your experience — and it can be done as frequently as fits your schedule.

~ By Lindsay Cain
Michigan Audubon Education Coordinator

Nature journaling ideas:

  • List birds, insects, trees, flowers, etc. you observe. Create one list of all of these or focus on something specific each time.
  • Create a sound map. Sit or stand in a specific place for 15 minutes while drawing a map of what you hear. Try to pinpoint where and about how far away the noises are from you and each other. Include both nature sounds and those that are man-made.
  • Write a poem.
  • Make plant rubbings.
  • Sketch or draw what you see around you.
  • Write about your feelings. How does this experience make you feel? What you reflecting on? What would you change about this experience? What would you like to share with others?
  • Track animals through prints and/or scat.
  • Create a story about one of the plants or animals you observe. Think about their shelter, food, and what they might do during a typical day.