Katie Borgfjord, Digital Marketing Coordinator
Bullet journaling, junk journaling, scrapbooking, commonplace journaling, nature journaling—why are there so many types, and what do they all mean?
First things first: journaling can be whatever you want it to be. It’s all about feeling comfortable, expressing yourself, and tapping into your creativity.
Nature journaling, in particular, is about slowing down and truly appreciating the world around you—taking a moment to “stop and smell the roses,” as the saying goes.
But what exactly is nature journaling? How do you start? And what do you even write (or draw) about?
What is it?
Nature journaling is documenting in a notebook what you experience in nature. This can be through drawing, writing, painting, collaging or anything that works for you. By observing, recording, and reflecting on life around you, you develop a deeper connection with the outdoors, offering a better understanding of the world we live in.
Nature Journaling is about slowing down and appreciating the earth, or “stopping to smell the roses,” as they say. It’s a way to step back from our day-to-day, and raise our awareness and ground ourselves to the nature around us.
“I can’t practice nature journaling because I don’t have anywhere to go,” well we are here to tell you, nature journaling can be anywhere! A backyard, a park, a balcony/sunroom, your apartment’s front steps, your bedroom window, a cafe, a car, a plane, in a canoe on a lake, in a library! The point is you can journal anywhere you feel comfortable.
“The most important part of nature journaling is the process itself. While the final product can be beautiful and rewarding, it’s the mental engagement—the way nature journaling activates attention, memory, and focus—that truly matters. Most importantly, it nurtures a deeper connection to the natural world,” said Carly Gray, Environmental Education Manager.
Want to start now? Here’s what you’ll need: a notebook or paper, a writing utensil, a spot to sit and reflect, and an open mind.
Page Prompts:
For me, the scariest part of journaling is that blank white page staring back at you. The question of what to fill it with? Well, we got you covered! Here’s a list of a few prompts to get you started:
- Find a sit spot: Find a place in nature to visit regularly. Each time you go, record the following: something you saw, something you heard, something you smelled, something you felt. You can divide your page into a quadrant to answer these questions.
- Make a sound map: Observe what sounds you hear and from what direction. Start by drawing a line from the centre of the page toward the direction you hear the sound, and write or draw what you hear. Draw sounds close by with shorter lines and sounds far away with longer lines.
- Wonder and Wander: Notice what’s around you, and see if any questions come to mind. Research is all part of the fun with nature journaling! See a cool plant but not sure what it is? Take a photo, write notes, or draw it so you can look it up later.
- Nature Collage: (works best in a public area) Walk around and collect some things you find in nature: leaves, flowers, litter, magazines, etc. Make a collage with them. More of the scrapbooker type? Make a collage page based on your favourite place in nature or give life to an old National Geographic magazine!
- Branches: Find a tree that speaks to you. Observe the way it flows out of the ground and into the sky, the way one branch becomes another. Draw the branches and fill it in with things in your life. How does your life compare to the branches of a tree?
- Give thanks: Reflect on the following questions about the land, and create your own land acknowledgment:
- What gifts do you feel you receive from the land?
- What can you gift the land in return?
- What does land mean to you in 3 words?
- Who has taken care of this land?
- How can we show our thanks to the land and to those who have stewarded it?
- What do you do to connect to the land?
- Bird Watching: observe the birds around you! Make a list, a table, or drawings, observe the way they look, behave, or sound. Count how many you see at different times of the year!
- Leaf Print: Find a leaf and a rock. Press the leaf into the page by using the rock. Observe the shape it created, think of what it reminds you of: another plant, an animal? Draw the shape on top of the pressing.
- Clouds: The age old game of “what does that cloud look like?” Observe the clouds, and what shapes they are in. Draw the sky full of plants and animals that you see.
These journal entries don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be yours. Whether it’s a quick sketch, a few thoughtful sentences, or a full page of doodles, every entry is a chance to connect more deeply with the world around you.
Contest (CLOSED)
And now, you can take that creativity one step further—with our CPAWS Nature Journaling Contest! 🎨🌲
Spring has arrived, bringing with it a burst of new life, vibrant colours, and fresh opportunities to explore the outdoors. To celebrate the season, CPAWS Manitoba is inviting Manitobans of all ages to step outside, connect with nature, and capture those special moments through art.
We’re launching a drawing contest open to individuals and classrooms alike! Whether you’re sketching a blooming wildflower, a curious critter, or a peaceful park scene, we want to see how you experience the natural world.
Winning entries will be featured on our brand-new CPAWS sticker sheets, serving as a tribute to the unique and personal ways people connect with nature. Our team will select 36 winning drawings — 9 for each of the 4 Manitoba themed sticker sheets:
- Animals
- Plants
- Parks
- Created by Kids (a special category highlighting artwork by young nature lovers)
So grab your sketchbook and head outdoors — your nature moment could become a sticker that inspires others!
Everyone who submits will also be entered into a random draw for an additional prize. You can enter up to five photos, so the more you share, the better your chances of winning!
How to Enter
- Post a photo or video with your artwork or journal spread and tag @cpawsmb (if you have a private account, DM us a screenshot to show us that you posted on Instagram.) by July 31, 2025
- Follow @cpawsmb on Instagram.
- Like this post.
- Tag 3 outdoor loving/artists/journaling friends in the comment section.
**OR if you are entering the “Created by Kids” category, Fill out this google form.
**The contest runs from May 9 to July 31, 2025, 2025. Winners will be notified by Aug 7, 2025.**
Contest Prizes
The following prizes will be awarded:
- Winners of each category: CPAWS Manitoba Mug, a feature in our upcoming sticker sheets (with credits)
- Random draw for all entries: CPAWS Manitoba Keep Manitoba Wild T-shirt
Learn how to enter and read the rules and regulations.
Safety
Before you head out on your nature adventure — at a park, your backyard, or otherwise — keep these guidelines in mind:
- Do not feed wildlife.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave areas, objects, and plants as you found them.
- Respect plant and animal life.
- Stay on official trails.
- Beware of poisonous plants and stinging insects.
How to Learn More:
Register for our Nature Journaling workshop!
Read our blog from 2021: Nature Journaling Sharpens Your Brain and Relieves Stress