E.4 How to Start a Nature Study

Discover the #1 tool for nature study, overcome obstacles, and get started in part 2 of a 3-part nature study series. Learn how to Nature study beyond the Journal in part 3 and Why Nature study in part 1. Below are the links (some are affiliate) from the episodeBooks mentioned in the podcast: Outliers by Malcom Gladwell  Handbook of Nature Study by Ann Botsford Comstock John Muir Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir LawsOther Resources Mentioned:Rediscovering the Forgotten Benefits of Drawing Article by Jennifer Landon Mentioned in the first part of the podcast.Option #1 for Nature journals if you like a blank page: Multimedia Sketch Pad (or any like this for a blank note pad- found at most stores)Option #2 for Nature Journal if you like a little more structure to your open-ended journaling: Complete Nature Journal or Basic Nature Journal (A great place to start with little ones.)Option #3 if you’d like a guided journal to tell you what to look for and how to record it: The Nature Connection: An outdoor workbook for kids, families, and classroomsWriting tools:A pencil is all you need but if you decide to watercolor instead I’d recommend starting with two quality brushes : #10 Round Brush and #6 Round Brush one other tip I picked up from John Muir Laws that I love is using a non-photo blue pencil for your underdrawing because it is easy to erase, doesn’t show like lead pencils and doesn’t interact with the watercolor or colored pencils.Hiking trail app: AllTrailsOutline of Episode:1.       You don’t need to be an artist to keep a nature journal2.       You can acquire skill through training and practice3.       Drawing isn’t the only way to keep a nature journal4.       Overcoming little attention spans5.       Overcoming “I’m too old for this”6.       Overcoming perfectionism7.       Overcoming “I’d rather do than write”8.       Overcoming “I’m not an artist- I’m a mathematician”9.       Getting Started- Materials10.   Get outside11.   Think like a scientist12.   Record observations13.   Digg deeper14.   Let them wonderFull Transcript available at hatchingcuriosity.com