Nature Journaling
John (Jack) Muir Laws is one of the go-to people for nature journaling. He is based in California, USA, where he teaches students and educators alike. He has created a method of nature journaling which makes it easy to understand and follow for any age or ability. His two triads are using WORDS, PICTURES and NUMBERS along with the statements I NOTICE, I WONDER and IT REMINDS ME OF. These two triads, used together, make for incredible journal entries full of observations, curiosity and connections. He has created a plethora of resources for educators, parents and individuals looking to get started with nature journaling and has kindly given us permission to link these resources here for you. www.johnmuirlaws.com
In 2020 Jack and Emilie Lygren, fellow educator and nature journaler, wrote and created an incredible book called "How to Teach Nature Journaling". They have allowed this book to be downloaded as a free PDF, although we do recommend purchasing the book to help support their work. They also created a website How to Teach Nature Journaling which is filled with resources.
Jack has also created a number of video resources. Here are two that will help you get started.
Three part webinar: bit.ly/naturejournaltips
Throughout the website you will see Nature Journaling being used as a tool for many lessons. It is not a one off activity but a tool to enhance teaching and learning!
If you are looking for assistance please reach out to the PDSB Field Centre instructors. Start journaling with your students today!
Nature Journaling Community
Jack has created an incredible community you can be part of!
On his website there is a community calendar with many session you can take part in. Most are free, but there are a few that require payment which directly support the individuals running the sessions. We would highly recommend the Nature Journaling Educators Forum (3pm Eastern time) these sessions are all recorded. If you click the following link and scroll down to the heading Nature Education you will find all the recordings.
Facebook groups have also been created to strengthen the community.
WILD WONDER Nature Journaling Conference is an annual week long conference at the end of June, which includes many guest speakers with amazing workshops. If you missed it you are able to purchase a pass to all the recordings which you will have access to until the following April. This year a two day Wild Wonder Teacher Conference was run for the first time!
INTERNATIONAL NATURE JOURNALING WEEK (1st week of June)
In 2020 Bethan Burton an artist and environmental educator based in Brisbane Australia founded International Nature Journaling Week to connect a world-wide community who are using nature journaling as a tool to connect to nature. Bethan follows the same method as Jack with huge emphasis on including the heart when journaling. Her website is Journaling with Nature. She has created a podcast all about Nature journaling and creating connections which can be found here and on Spotify. Here she interviews many individuals on how they are incorporating nature journaling into their lives and the people they are connecting with. Bethan has given us permission to link both of her websites.
More resources:
Marley Peifer is an educator, artist and nature journaler out of the USA. He has developed an incredible following on his YouTube Channel show casing tips and tricks for nature journaling as well as interviewing many industry professionals. His website show cases the events and courses you can sign up for and more! Marley has kindly given us permission to link to his sites.
Paula Peters is an illustrator, writer and nature journaling educator out of Australia. She has kindly allowed us to link to her amazing website - Paper Bark Writer, where you will find free downloads, free online classes and so much more!
Check out field centre instructors, Sabrina & Billie Jo, sharing a nature journaling session to students during #WellnessWednesdayPDSB:
For PDSB Educators: if you are looking to reach out to the Peel Field Centres for further ways to connect your learning to the environment visit the PDSB Field Centre Share Point site.
