Slow down and get curious- Full Expression Podcast Join Dan Imhoff and me on an episode of the Full Espression Podcast. In this eppisode, host Dan Imhoff sits down with naturalist, artist, educator, and lifelong journaler John Muir Laws for a conversation about attention, creativity, and the…

Getting Started with Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws & Billie Jo Reid Join Billie Jo Reid and me as we explore the foundations of Nature Journaling and share our experiences from our recent Nature Journaling adventure in the Galapagos Islands.

NJEF: Snorkel Journaling ( John Muir Laws shares his recent underwater adventures in the Sea of Cortez with the Nature Journal Educators Forum. Kate Righter shares her experiences snorkeling in Hawai'i and important takeaways to keep your participants safe. (Class recording from 30 Apr. 2025) June…

Underwater Nature Journaling! (Apr. 10, 2025) Join Mandy Teernstra and John Muir Laws as we explore how to nature journal underwater, with simple and easily accessible equipment! This will change the way you snorkel forever. (Class recording 10 April 2025) Mandy Teernstra lives in the Netherlands.…

Nature Journaling: How to Reclaim Your Attention & Sense of Place with John Muir Laws “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”  —Mary Oliver Join me and the Aldo Leopold Foundation for an exciting discussion on how to start your own nature journal, phenology,…

10 Minuite Naturescapes Naturalist David Lukas has created a series of 10-minute videos, holding a camera on a natural phenomenon so that nature journalists can observe, sketch, and journal. These videos give you the time to make careful observations. Unlike a still photograph, you can see the…

Artivism for African Penguins (Jan. 23, 2025) Join John Muir Laws, Nature Journal South Africa (NJSA), and Dr. Katta Ludynia, Research Manager at SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) to learn about African Penguins and how to use our nature journals as tools…

60-Second Bird Sketching Learn how to draw birds with a few fast lines that capture the feeling and behavior of a live bird. Got a minute? Sketch a bird! Join me and the Wild Wonder Foundation for a fun class on quick bird sketching where I share my best tips and tricks learned through my 40 years…

Beyond the Front Door with Josée Bergeron (Jan. 28, 2026) John Muir Laws and the Nature Journal Educator's Forum talk to Josée Bergeron, author of "Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family". Calling families to return to nature, Josée offers simple solutions for…

Poetry in Nature with Emilie Lygren (Nov. 13, 2025) April is National Poetry Month in the United States! Let's get out our words and connect with nature! “I love being in the room with just-born poems!” ~Emilie Lygren, 13 Nov. 2025 Join John Muir Laws and poet/author Emilie Lygren for a discussion…

Urban Beavers in Martinez: Art & Conservation (May 15, 2025) Join John Muir Laws and Heidi Perryman as we explore beaver conservation, why beavers are important parts of ecosystems and how to draw these amazing creatures. (Class recording 15 May 2025) Heidi Perryman, Ph.D., is a child psychologist…

Loving the Natural World through Play, an interview I had a wonderful conversation with Rachel Woodham. We explored the intersection of play, journaling, and learning. I think you will enjoy it. You can find the conversation here.

NJEF: How to be a better listener as an educator (2025) Are you truly hearing what the world is telling you? Join John Muir Laws, with a broad range of educators, as he reflects on, how to make yourself a better listener. Co-hosted with Star. Date of origional video: 2025 In this session, we…

Billie Jo Reid: “My Journey as an Educator” Join us for an inspiring session from John Muir Laws as we follow Outdoor Educator Billie Jo Reid on her journey, founder of Pine & Ponder Outdoors. Date of origional video: September 24th, 2025 In this video, Billie Jo reflects on her lifelong…

NJEF: Insect Investigations with Stephanie Dole (Jul. 3, 2024) (Class recording from 3 July 2024) This week, the Nature Journal Educator's Forum welcomes Dr. Stephanie Dole, the Beetle Lady, for a conversation about leading insect investigations as educators. When we're doing insect investigations…

How do we move beyond a standard lecture and create a vibrant, interactive community around a book? In this Nature Journal Educator Forum, Jack and the community "pick brains" to establish best practices for starting and sustaining an online book club.

Final Payment to John Muir Laws for 2026 Galapagos Expedition I am so excited and grateful that you will be joining us! Thank you for your support and participation. This will be an incredible experience and opportunity to learn together.

A Bird a Day with Anne Chadwick (Dec. 18, 2025) What would happen if you drew one bird each day for a year? Join John Muir Laws in conversation with nature journaler and conservation leader Anne Chadwick as she wraps up a full year of drawing a bird a day. Why set a goal like this? Lessons…

Understanding Birds Through Sculpture (Nov. 21, 2024) Join John Muir Laws and Jack Revie as we explore the process of carving birds and how to think about birds three dimensionally. This process will improve your ability to draw birds from any angle. You may wish to bring some sculpy, or modeling…

NJEF: Forest Bathing and Nature Journaling (Feb. 19, 2025) Join Jack and Dan as we explore Forest Bathing and Nature Journaling. (Class recording from 19 Feb. 2025) We have co-led a program in Yosemite National Park and are particularly excited by how synergistic Forest Bathing and Nature…

Skullduggery! (Apr. 18, 2024) Nasal turbinates, masseter muscles, zygomatic arches, sagittal crests, infraorbital foramina, AND sciuromorphs - oh my! Join John Muir Laws in this fun deep dive into reading skulls and what they can tell us about the animals they come from. Class recording from 18…

NJEF: Journal Resources Page Insert (Apr. 30, 2021) A class from the past! On 30 April 2021, John Muir Laws asked the Nature Journal Educators Forum for feedback on the resources inserts that later went into his blank sketchbooks, which hundreds of nature journalers now use and enjoy. You can find…

Choose to be Curious Podcast: Ep. #307: Curiosity & Nature Journaling "Slow down to the speed of wonder." ~ John Muir Laws Join Lynn Borton and me in this episode of the "Choose to be Curious" Podcast. This is an episode about nature journaling, but Jack would be the first to say: it isn't about…

Unfolding with I notice, I wonder, It reminds me of. I use the "I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of" prompt everywhere. Why is it so powerful? How and why does it transform the way you see and think? I was invited to join the Here We Are project to reflect on being present in this wild and…

The Dyslexic Advantage (Movie) The Dyslexic Advantage is an inspiring new documentary that challenges stereotypes and reveals some of the strengths of the dyslexic mind. The film explores how dyslexic thinking powers creativity, innovation, exploration, and human achievement. I am one of the…

Jack’s Summer 2025 Journal Share, Part 1 Howdy, friends, it's been a while! Want to see what John Muir Laws aka Jack was up to during his travels this past summer? Watch part 1 here, as Jack takes us through his journal from his summer vacation, including to Hog Island. Jack adds in some post-hoc…

Let’s Look at Lizards with a Master! August 14th is World Lizard Day! Let's celebrate lizards!!! From structure to scale details, how do we draw lizards? They have so much personality! Now the author and illustrator of a wonderful new guide to California Herps joins us to share his tips! (Class…

Nature Journaling for Families Learn to keep a nature journal with your family in this workshop with the Children in Nature Network!

From Geeking Out in Nature to Bridging Political Divides: Climate Swings Podcast John Muir Laws works across vast political and socio-cultural divides to bring the joy of nature journaling to audiences around the world. In his journey, which took him from roaming the Sierra Nevadas to sparking an…

Interview with the Good Men Project I recently enjoyed a conversation with George Cassidy Payne about nature journaling and a little about my thoughts about living this life. He framed the article around maculinity which is an interesting perspecive. I hope you find it interesting. Read the…

Learn to Nature Journal! Nature journaling offers numerous benefits, including enhanced observational skills, improved mental and emotional well-being, and a deeper connection to the natural world. It can also boost cognitive functions like critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, nature…

Curious Careers Podcast I hope you enjoy this discussion about nature journaling and life on the Curious Careers Podcast where curiosity leads to fascinating career discoveries! Hosted by an inquisitive 10-year-old, this unique show delves into the world of various professions through the eyes of…

Nature Journaling in Tuscany, July 20-26 I am excited to share a week of nature and cultural exploration in Tuscany! The course begins with a group dinner on Sunday, July 20th. We then explore, learn, and journal together all day from July 21st – July 25th, closing with a group breakfast on…

Blocking in leaf Shapes When you draw any object, start with the general shape and work your way progressively toward the details. Said another way, add the detail last (and don't overdo it). In these two demonstrations, note how we start with a light, loose, fast, framework (drawn in blue to…

Journaling in Elementary Science Classrooms Join me as I visit the University of Oklahoma Jeannie Rainbolt College of Education to discuss journaling and science.

“Straight” lines on a sphere Drawing Latitude and Longitude lines on a sphere is an amazing way to doodle your way to three-dimensional confidence. Famousandfaded created this wonderful tool to help you see the lines and use them as a reference. This is an interactive model. You can enlarge it to…

Listen to a fun conversation with Sara Bellis of GOGA Join me and Sara Bellis of the Get Out Get Arty (GOGA) podcast. We had a lively discussion about being small, beauty, learning, attention, growth, curiosity, play, community and so much more.

Nature Journaling in Tuscany July 21 – July 25  Join me for this Nature Journaling Adventure I am so excited to share a week of nature and cultural exploration in Tuscany_ with you. Learn how to become more confident when painting on location. Learn how to create sketches with minimal materials –…

Sierra Birds Book Launch This special event was co-hosted by Wild Wonder Foundation, Feather River Land Trust, and Heyday Books. I gave this talk in November 2024 at the new beautiful Sierra Valley Nature Center in Beckwourth, California, to celebrate the publication of The Laws Field Guide to…

Join the Western Flyer’s Historic Return to the Gulf of California! April 15-25, 2025 Follow the route of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in the Gulf of California, 85 years ago with this restored historic vessel. Iwill be adding nature journaling to the itinerary of this incredible trip. Please…