I'm an environmental educator in my current job. A pedagogical tool I've learned to incorporate a lot in my curriculum when teaching students is nature journaling. Learning to make observations and record them in the field is an important STEM skill, and I'd argue an important skill for daily living as well. Journaling also helps to inspire us and support curiosity rather than trying to get to the answers right away. Nature journaling is something anyone can do, you don't have to be an artist to create a drawing that helps you communicate your findings to another person.
As an artist, there's something about scientific field drawings where you do try to accurately depict an organism and have words for science communication that has always drawn me in. The combination of science and art at the intersection of communication has always interested me. In another life, I'd probably pursue a career in scientific illustration but currently I cannot afford to go back to school so environmental education it is. But in my personal art, I like to incorporate nature journaling as a source of inspiration. Art is a hobby for me, and it can be difficult to make myself find the time to focus on my art. Nature journaling is one way I use my experiences in nature to inspire me to create art.
These are my first three nature journal entries that I have made in 2022 now that I live in northwestern Washington, across from Seattle, in the Puget Sound area. I've been learning a lot about marine life and other organisms that are endemic to the Pacific Northwest.
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