Journaling is a great way to deal with anxiety, develop your creativity, and bring moments of joy into your day. Combine that with a walk in your neighbourhood, bird-watching, and enjoying all that nature brings us is a perfect inspiration for starting a nature journal.

In her book, Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness (Buy Online), author Ingrid Fetell Lee explored questions like “Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the glow that arrives before sunset or why we flock to see cherry blossoms in spring? Through research and interviews she found strong evidence of the connection between access to nature and positive health benefits, including reduced stress and anxiety.”

“Natural settings literally make us more carefree.”

— Ingrid Fetell Lee

Creating a nature journal provides the benefits of journaling and exploring nature all in one.

What You’ll Need

A notebook and pen or pencil. Add art supplies as you need them.

What To Include In Your Journal

Start with a journey outside and experience nature in your own backyard or neighbourhood. Think about what you see, hear, and feel, and write about it in your journal. List the birds, insects, and trees you discover. You might choose to add a drawing, include poetry, or insert photos of a favourite place you like to visit. The possibilities are endless. Be creative!

Handy Resources

Download this bird identification card to discover some of interesting birds commonly found in Wascana Marsh. There are plenty of apps available to download that will assist you in identify species of wildlife you are likely going to see. We suggest iNaturalist. Not only does it provide photos and information about wildlife in your community it also allows you to record your observations directly into the app.