By: Fayruz Prins, Assistant Conservation Officer, KRCA
The team at Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) had the privilege of participating in a Nature Journaling South Africa workshop, generously facilitated by Cati Vawda. As the founder of this inspiring initiative, Cati introduced the team to a tradition of nature recording that dates back to South Africa’s earliest known forms of documenting nature—rock art.
Nature journaling is a unique practice that involves capturing observations, thoughts, and emotions about the natural world through written records, drawings, symbols, and more.
The Power of Nature Journaling
Hand-recording observations allows individuals to slow down and forge a deeper connection with their surroundings. This practice enhances self-reflection, mindfulness, and inspires a new perspective on the natural world. Nature journaling also fosters creativity, curiosity, and environmental stewardship, making it a meaningful activity for both personal growth and conservation.
Learning the Six Steps of Nature Journaling
During the workshop, Cati introduced a flexible six-step process for journaling that can be tailored to individual interests:
- Preparing for the journaling experience
- Arriving at your destination and settling into the environment
- Observing nature using all five senses
- Recording observations through simple tools like a pen and notebook, with the option to use colour, drawings, or symbols
- Reflecting on what has been recorded versus what was observed
- Sharing your work with others via creative projects or online platforms like iNaturalist
To bring these steps to life, the KRCA team journaled about an apple during the workshop. This hands-on exercise encouraged creativity and provided practical insights into integrating nature journaling into daily life.
A Welcoming Community
One of the workshop’s key takeaways was the inclusivity of nature journaling. As Cati shared, “Anyone, everywhere can partake, as there are no rules, only tools.” This philosophy creates a welcoming space for people of all ages and skill levels, encouraging them to share their experiences and foster a global conversation about nature.
The KRCA team is excited to continue exploring this creative practice and invites everyone to join the Nature Journaling South Africa community. Together, we can deepen our connection to nature and strengthen our commitment to conservation.
Tags and Collaborations
#SANatureJournal
