Nature Journaling for a Wild Life

About this book

Explore the enriching world of nature journaling in an eight-week, self-guided "workshop in a book" from explorer, naturalist, and artist Roseann Hanson.

Find out how journaling nurtures a deeper understanding and love for nature while healing our digitally fractured minds. Use drawing to learn about nature – the emphasis is on "drawing to learn" not "learning to draw." And before you know it, your sketching skills will surprise you with how much you improve!

This unique book will teach you to:
- Break free from the distracted life;
- Learn about nature through mindfulness;
- Improve your well-being;
- Silence your inner critic and learn to sketch and write about nature.

Includes:
- blank journal pages (60 pages)
- sturdy metal spiral binding, for full flip-back capability
- stiff chipboard back insert for easier writing and sketching
- eight instructional chapters (110 pages)
- eight weekly assignments and progress checklists
- four information-rich appendices
- tips and templates
- removable clear acetate viewing grid
- including six video lessons on a private online channel (demonstrating many of the skills and techniques in this book)

Bonus: Mini-workshop on how to make your own paint from locally collected minerals

Extra Bonus: You will have free access to a private Facebook group for beginner nature journalists and an hour-long beginner's video workshop with practice resources and plenty of encouragement to get you started.

Contents

Your Way to a Wild Life   7
Simple Tools for Success   11
Week 1: It's All About Data   19
Week 2: Question & Visualize   27
Week 3: Drawing to Learn   35
Week 4: Silence the Critic & Make Connection   43
Week 5: Tricks & Tools   51
Week 6: Color Your World!   61
Week 7: Mapping & Diagramming   71
Week 8: Don't Over-think It   79
Putting It All Together:  Your Own Nature Journal Kit   89
Bonus Workshop: Feral Watercolor (make your own paint)   93
End Notes & Resources   97
Index   102

Templates & Tools:
Cut Outs: Grids, Viewfinders, Guide Tips Bookmarks   103-109
Templates: Page Design Ideas   105

Blank Journal Pages   111

Customer Reviews

Biography

Roseann Beggy Hanson is a native of southern Arizona, and grew up in the rural Tanque Verde Valley east of Tucson. She studied journalism and ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, and has worked in the American Southwest, Mexico, and East Africa as a conservationist, naturalist, and writer for non-profits for over 30 years.

With her husband, Jonathan, she has authored over a dozen natural history and outdoor books, including the Southern Arizona Nature Almanac and San Pedro River: A Discovery Guide. Their Ragged Mountain Guide to Outdoor Sports won the 1997 Outdoor Book Award and their 50 Common Reptiles and Amphibians of the Southwest was cited for Interpretive Excellence by the National Park Service in 1997.

Roseann began ConserVentures LLC as a consultancy to assist small non-profits with development and communications. Clients included the African Conservation Fund, South Rift Association of Land Owners, Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project, Biosphere Expeditions, and several other businesses and conservation efforts.

In 2009 ConserVentures expanded to include the hugely successful adventure travel event Overland Expo, with a mission that strongly emphasizes the connection between exploration and conservation of the world’s natural and cultural resources. Proceeds from Overland Expo, held each May in northern Arizona and October-November in the Eastern US, support in part ConserVentures Charitable Organization, which was founded by the Hansons and a small group of like-minded friends.

Roseann is an associate with the University of Arizona School of Science, working as art and science program coordinator at the Desert Laboratory at Tumamoc Hill, and was named a Fellow of both the Explorers Club in the U.S. and the Royal Geographical Society in Great Britain for her conservation and expedition work.