A portion of Longfellow Creek. Indigenous people of this area called it “smelt” creek or “smelt house.” The surface of the water reflects the surrounding trees and shrubs in its still water.
There are lots of different ways that I like to connect with nature and drawing is only one of them. So far, I’ve written much about how nature journaling is a part of my life and why I do it.
Now, I would love to hear how YOU connect to nature and, if you keep a nature journal, how do you like to keep your nature journal? What benefits do you enjoy from your practice? What are your go-to strategies?
If you are attracted to nature journaling but haven’t quite made it a regular part of your life, there’s room for your voice here too. Share something lovely or moving in nature that you’ve witnessed recently.
As an example, I’ll share that today I visited a place called Longfellow Creek which is just minutes away from where I live. The creek is the location of an old salmon run but the run is endangered because of urbanization and climate change. Today, after many weeks of checking periodically, I saw a single salmon in the creek. It was an exciting moment and also a moment filled with sadness. Where once the creek would be filled with fish, populations have significantly declined over the history of colonization in this area. Today I could see only one. What’s more, the salmon was on its side in a gentle flow of water and clearly dying. I watched for a few minutes, a silent witness to its valiant efforts and the sacred ages-old relationship this animal has with all the living and non-living beings of this place. I hoped that she had completed her journey and had a chance to spawn before I found her. All salmon die after spawning but many salmon die in this creek before they get the chance because of human-created toxins in our stormwater run-off.
A salmon (likely Coho) on it’s side in shallow running water.
On a happier note, there were groups of school children and adults visiting the creek. They were learning about the salmon and the ecology of the creek lead by a smiling and patient teacher. May all beings also find and fulfill their life’s purpose/s.
I connect by blogging and writing typically, though have been working on a perpetual nature journal this last year. I would love to manage to make some time to do a daily or more than once a week nature journal but haven't managed to find the time.
You forget that you have a podcast! I've started a page a day phenological journal. I find that a daily practice needs to be something very fast and easy. Not sure if the one I picked is fast and easy enough. Only time will tell I suppose! I'd like to know how your perpetual journal is going. What are you focusing on?
I originally was going to keep the journal to things from my yard but I quickly moved it to any kind of nature anywhere I go. I may have to do a separate garden/yard journal at some point if I can settle down with some dedicated time.
I sketch for various reasons in my journal - something that caught my eye on a local walk, nature observations while camping & kayaking, Skillshare classes, nature journaling workshops, color swatching, line drawing and for displaying pressed flowers! When I look back through my sketchbooks, it sparks a sense of wonder and memories and I find I remember details and facts much better!
I connect by blogging and writing typically, though have been working on a perpetual nature journal this last year. I would love to manage to make some time to do a daily or more than once a week nature journal but haven't managed to find the time.
You forget that you have a podcast! I've started a page a day phenological journal. I find that a daily practice needs to be something very fast and easy. Not sure if the one I picked is fast and easy enough. Only time will tell I suppose! I'd like to know how your perpetual journal is going. What are you focusing on?
I originally was going to keep the journal to things from my yard but I quickly moved it to any kind of nature anywhere I go. I may have to do a separate garden/yard journal at some point if I can settle down with some dedicated time.
I sketch for various reasons in my journal - something that caught my eye on a local walk, nature observations while camping & kayaking, Skillshare classes, nature journaling workshops, color swatching, line drawing and for displaying pressed flowers! When I look back through my sketchbooks, it sparks a sense of wonder and memories and I find I remember details and facts much better!
Yes! It feels good to have something that captures memories doesn't it? I would love to have your discipline about researching and writing down facts.