Keeping a Nature Journal: Why It Still Inspires

When I first heard about Clare Walker Leslie’s Keeping a Nature Journal, I was intrigued. Nature journaling has always been on my list of things I wanted to dive into more seriously, and this book seemed like the perfect guide.

I'm so glad I picked up a physical copy, because Keeping a Nature Journal is the kind of book that needs to be flipped through, savored, and revisited often. It's not the kind of thing you just breeze through in one sitting. You want it beside you while you’re out walking, sketching, or even just sitting in your backyard.

If you've been curious about starting your own nature journal, this book could be the spark that makes it happen. You can also check out some of my favorite resources on nature journaling basics and nature journaling ideas if you're looking for more ways to start your own journey.

First Impressions of Keeping a Nature Journal

When I first opened Keeping a Nature Journal, it immediately struck me as approachable, almost like sitting with a knowledgeable friend who genuinely wants you to succeed. The book doesn’t assume any prior skill in drawing or scientific observation. Instead, it invites you to look closely, to wonder, and to document what you see and feel.

One of the things I appreciated early on was that Leslie doesn’t overcomplicate things. She isn’t trying to turn you into a scientist or a professional illustrator. She’s simply encouraging you to slow down, to notice, and to develop a deeper relationship with the natural world. For me, that took off so much pressure. I wasn’t creating for anyone else. I was doing it for me.

Seeing the sketches and notes from her own journals was really inspiring. They weren't all “perfect.” Some were quick sketches, some were more detailed, but all of them captured a moment, a mood, a season. It felt very real, and it reminded me a lot of the nature journaling examples I've admired online.

If you're new to sketching or drawing, you might enjoy checking out how to draw animals and drawing tutorials that can complement your journaling practice. They helped me feel more confident about adding little sketches to my own nature journal.

Key Points: What Helped Me the Most

• Start small and be consistent: Even ten minutes outside is enough to build the habit and sharpen your observation skills. I started with just 5-10 minutes a few times a week and noticed huge changes in what I observed around me.
• Focus on seeing, not making “good” art: Leslie reminds us that nature journaling is about mindfulness and presence, not creating masterpieces. I can't overstate how freeing this mindset was for me.
• Use prompts to spark curiosity: The book includes tons of helpful prompts, and you can find even more nature journaling prompts to keep your practice fresh.

Why Keeping a Nature Journal is Such a Useful Book

Clare Walker Leslie’s approach is gentle and encouraging. She blends simple how-to sketching tips with thoughtful reflections on the natural world. What stood out to me most was her insistence that you don't need artistic talent to start. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to show up.

This is a book that really respects your starting point. If you're nervous about being “good enough,” Leslie gently waves those fears away. I really appreciated her simple demonstrations on sketching things like trees, clouds, and birds. It felt doable. It gave me the confidence to pick up my own sketchbook without feeling intimidated.

The new edition expands on previous ones with more step-by-step drawing guidance and even more journal examples. Seeing real, imperfect pages from her journals and her students' journals made it feel much more accessible. I didn’t feel like I had to create perfect, museum-quality sketches — I just needed to capture what I saw.

For those wondering about tools, Leslie keeps it simple. I’ve found that having a few basic nature journaling supplies on hand — like a decent sketchbook, a mechanical pencil, and some colored pencils — makes it even easier to dive in.

How Keeping a Nature Journal Changed My Outdoor Time

Before reading this book, I often walked past plants, birds, and clouds without giving them much more than a glance. I would appreciate them in passing, but I didn't really see them. Now, even a quick step outside feels richer.

I’ve started to bring a small notebook with me everywhere. Sometimes I sketch, sometimes I just write a few quick notes about what I’m seeing or hearing. The rustle of leaves, the patterns of clouds, the calls of birds — all these things that I used to overlook now feel like small treasures worth noticing.

I've even started incorporating watercolor into some of my journal pages. It's nothing fancy, but adding a little color really brings the pages to life. If you're interested, watercolor nature journaling can be a really fun way to enhance your pages without needing a lot of supplies.

If you're looking for even more inspiration, nature journaling for adults is a great way to deepen your relationship with the world around you.

The Structure of the Book

Keeping a Nature Journal is broken down into accessible sections that guide you through:

• How to start observing
• Simple ways to sketch and record
• Seasonal nature journaling ideas
• Tips for urban and rural environments alike

What I love about the structure is that you don't have to read it cover to cover. Some days I’ll just flip to a section that matches the season or the type of outing I'm planning. For example, before a recent hike, I looked at the part about observing trees in winter. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the shapes and silhouettes I was seeing.

If you're someone who likes seasonal themes or structured activities, nature journaling activities can be a fun way to stay motivated.

Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference

Leslie’s book isn't just about journaling; it's about developing a new way of being present. Some of the small shifts I've experienced since reading it include:

• Looking more closely: Instead of just noting “a tree,” I notice the type of bark, the shape of the leaves, the way the branches twist.
• Listening more carefully: Birds, insects, even the wind through grass — there's a soundtrack to every place if you pause to hear it.
• Feeling more connected: Even when I’m in a busy city, finding a tiny patch of green to sketch makes me feel rooted and more at ease.

These small practices have enriched my daily life far beyond just the pages of my journal. If you want to dig into even more of the benefits, benefits of nature journaling is a great article to check out.