Intro to Eco Journaling

Read this page or download the file below for my intro to eco journaling. (It can be printed double-sided and folded in half to make a bi-fold brochure.)

Eco-Journaling with Ellie Download

What is eco- or nature journaling?

I would describe eco journaling or nature journaling as using observation, curiosity, and creativity to explore and document the natural world (and our place in it).

“Eco” comes from the word ecology, which is the study of the natural balance of habitats, the interaction between different elements in those habitats, the natural history that created it, and more.

Why do we eco-journal?

To understand ourselves and the world around us,
To document things so that they won’t be forgotten,
To express our creativity,
And so much more!

DID YOU KNOW?

The writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau kept such detailed nature journals that his work is still used by scientists today to study how the seasons have shifted since the 1800s.

How do we eco journal?

There is no right or wrong way, but we can use our own skills and interests to capture our observations about the natural world, using words, numbers, illustrations, diagrams, and artifacts.

Possible eco-journal prompts

Go on a walk and make a list of the plants and animals that you see. Try to create an illustration of a few of them. You can also make a map of your walk and label the places on the map where you observed plants and animals.
Write about your favorite nature memories from your childhood.
Go outside and choose one plant that you see to document in your journal. Create an illustration, and then record any other important information about the plant and its surroundings.
Write a letter to your favorite species.
Write a poem about nature.
Research a nature topic and then create a journal entry that could help somebody else learn about the topic. Try to use a combinations of illustrations and text. (Possible topics: pollination, the water cycle, the life cycle of an animal or plant, native vs invasive plants, phenology, mycelium, prescribed fire)
Imagine that you are on a famous voyage (real or fictional) and write a nature journal entry about your observations.
Create a nature-themed collage.

These are just starting points! Go outside, pay attention to what you see, and let the natural world inspire you!

Extra considerations

Leave no trace

Make sure to enjoy natural areas responsibly so that you don’t affect the ecosystem. Only collect items if you are sure that it’s allowed, stay on marked trails, and never leave behind trash or otherwise affect the habitat in any way.

Low-impact practices

When possible, choose more sustainable materials to use for your journaling supplies. Look at how the products are made, or consider finding a secondhand craft store to give old supplies a second chance!

Additional resources