A Guide to Nature Journaling Workshops in the Wild

There’s something unforgettable about nature journaling workshops in the wild. Not in a conference room or a city park, but truly out there: in forests, along coastlines, or on mountain trails. I’ve done both kinds—indoor demos and outdoor adventures—and the difference is night and day. When you’re immersed in the environment, surrounded by bird calls and the smell of damp earth, your sketches and observations come alive in a whole new way.

I started seeking out nature journaling workshops in the wild after years of journaling solo. The sense of community, the unexpected inspiration from others’ pages, and the gentle structure of a well-led session helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect. Whether you’re brand new to nature journaling or already have stacks of filled sketchbooks, these workshops offer something special.

Nature Journaling Workshops in the Wild

Workshops held outdoors do more than teach drawing or note-taking skills. They connect you more deeply to the place you’re in and offer a rare chance to slow down. You're not just learning how to journal, you're learning how to see.

I attended one workshop that started before sunrise. We quietly sketched as the light shifted and the birds began to call. No classroom could recreate that feeling. Moments like that change how you approach your own journaling practice later on.

Key Points

• Choose workshops that focus on small group sizes and quiet observation, not just techniques.
• Bring gear that’s weatherproof and light—a good nature journaling bag can make or break your experience.
• Don’t overpack supplies. Start with the basics and build from experience. Here are the nature journaling supplies I bring to every trip.

What to Expect from a Workshop in the Wild

Most wild workshops are day trips or weekend excursions. They usually include some mix of observational exercises, short hikes, and guided journaling sessions. Some even incorporate watercolor nature journaling or plant identification.

You’ll often start with a short demo or warm-up activity. That might mean drawing leaves blindfolded to loosen up or doing quick gesture sketches of birds in motion. Then the group often splits off to find a subject to observe and journal.

Tips for a Great Experience

• Ask ahead about physical demands. Some workshops are trail-based, others are more stationary.
• Bring snacks and water. Obvious, but easy to forget when you're packing sketchbooks.
• Expect weather changes. I’ve journaled in mist, wind, and unexpected heat. Layers help.

Finding the Right Workshop for You

When I look for a new workshop, I ask myself what I’m hoping to get out of it. Is it learning a new technique? Meeting other journalers? Exploring a specific ecosystem? The clearer I am about what I want, the easier it is to choose a workshop that fits.

For example, if I’m feeling stuck in my drawing practice, I look for sessions that emphasize technique or offer demos. If I’m craving connection, I’ll choose something with lots of group discussion or a longer format where you really get to know people. And sometimes I just want an excuse to explore a new environment—deserts, tide pools, or forests—with a journal in hand.

Some of my favorite resources for finding good-fit workshops are:

• Local nature center, natural history museums, or botanical gardens, which often have community programs you wouldn’t see advertised elsewhere
• National park events calendars, especially during summer and early fall when visitation is high
• International Nature Journaling Week, which often shares upcoming sessions worldwide and highlights local groups that host their own events

If you can’t find one nearby, consider organizing your own. Even an informal meet-up with a few friends counts. Here’s a guide I put together on how to teach nature journaling, even if you’re not an expert.

Journaling On Your Own After a Workshop

One of the best parts of attending a workshop is how it changes your solo practice. I always leave with fresh prompts, sketching habits, and a stronger sense of place. The real value shows up in the weeks that follow, when you find yourself noticing bird calls more often or wanting to pause and sketch a leaf you might have walked past before.

If you're looking for ideas to keep the momentum going, I put together a full list of nature journaling prompts and creative nature journaling excursions to keep things fresh. I like to pick one or two prompts to try each week so that I don’t default to the same type of page every time.

I also suggest taking ten minutes to write down what resonated most from your workshop. Was it a particular drawing method? A way of labeling your page? A new way of seeing a tree or bird? Use that to guide your next few sessions, and don’t be afraid to repeat an exercise from the workshop. Reinforcing what you learned helps it stick. If you’re not sure where to start, I recommend checking out these nature journaling basics and nature journaling for adults.

Building a Journaling Habit That Lasts

Workshops are powerful, but what matters most is what you do afterward. Nature journaling works best as a habit—one that helps you slow down, observe more carefully, and document your time outside. For me, journaling became part of my weekly rhythm after I created a loose plan and let go of perfectionism.

If you’re curious about how journaling helps your mindset and focus, I wrote more here about the benefits of nature journaling.

Want to dive deeper into specific ideas and observations? Here are some other guides that might help:

• Nature journaling activities – A collection of playful, focused ways to interact with your surroundings through drawing and observation.
• Nature journaling ideas – A roundup of unique approaches and exercises to keep your journaling sessions fresh and creative.
• Nature journaling plants – Specific tips for observing and recording plant life, from trees to wildflowers.
• Nature journaling in Australia – Reflections and tips from journaling across Australia's diverse landscapes.
• Nature journaling adventure – How to turn hikes, travel, and wildlife encounters into rich journal entries.
• Nature journaling examples – A peek inside real journals to see how others capture their time in nature.
• Field guide to nature journaling – A practical walkthrough of techniques, tools, and mindset to help you start or grow your journaling practice.