On this episode of the On The Trails podcast, join host Michael Nickell and special guest John Muir Laws, aka Jack, as they dive into the captivating world of nature journaling. In this engaging conversation, Jack shares his unique journey from a childhood shadowing a family friend’s botanical sketches to becoming a renowned naturalist and Read More
Category: Nature Journals
Techniques and ideas to related to fast sketching in field conditions.
In Conversation with Clare Walker Leslie (Feb. 22, 2024)
Meet the woman who coined the term “nature journaling” and went on to become one of the most influential and inspiring nature journaling leaders – Clare Walker Leslie!!!(This conversation was recorded on 22 February 2024) One of John Muir Laws’ most important mentors and influences, Clare Walker Leslie’s book “Nature Drawing: A Tool for Learning” Read More
An introduction to Nature Journaling
Here is a lecture I gave for the Uma Terra de Maravilhas conference in Brazil in 2023. In this lecture I explore I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of, and words, pictures, and numbers in our nature journals. Read More
Summer 2023 Travel Journal Flip
John Muir Laws shares his journal from his summer travels, including adventures in Montana, Greece, Croatia, England, and more to come! (July 2023) Read More
Desert Discoveries with Mesilla Audubon
Nature journaling is a wonderful way to get even more richness from our birding experiences. Please join naturalist John Muir Laws and the Mesilla Valley Audubon Society as we imagine a trip to into the desert, record our discoveries, and probe mysteries in our notebooks. John will demonstrate habits of mind, drawing techniques, and journaling Read More
New! Quick Start Guide to Nature Journaling: Free download
This handy zine includes everything you need to get started nature journaling! It covers the basics (a definition, using words/pictures/numbers, and I notice/I wonder/It reminds me of), plus info on tools, places to journal, and more. BONUS: Turn the zine inside out for seven inspiring nature journaling prompts. The QR code takes you to more Read More
Post-Hawk Page Composition
John Muir Laws takes us inside his nature journals and demonstrates one of his best practices: post-hawk compositions – or rather, “what to do after the hawk has flown away.” As a powerful means for information review and refresh (bonus concept: the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve), working on your pages post-hawk will help you organize what Read More
Puddles and Page Layouts
In this “Ask Jack” session, John Muir Laws demonstrates how to draw shallow water, as well as ideas on how you can weave your pages together “post-hawk”. (May 2021) Read More
Galápagos Journal Flip
John Muir Laws shares his journal from his trip to the Galápagos during summer 2022, as well as his experience with Covid during the trip. (August 2022) Read More
Kenya Journal Flip (2022)
In this session from August 2022, John Muir Laws returns after a 2-month hiatus, with nature adventures and journal pages to share about Kenya! Please join us for this rich, inspiring flip-through of his nature journals. Read More