Introduction to Nature Journaling by Molly Torrey

Dear ENHG Members and Guests,

A nature journal is a place for the visual expression of curiosity. It can be used as a tool at the beach as well as in the desert, the mountains or in your own garden!  While drawing is a skill that can help us describe our observations, the goal of nature journaling is not to create a “pretty picture” but instead to record your experience with the natural world. 

Join us as we explore a section of Saadiyat island beach using a nature journal as a tool for sharpening our skills observation and attention. 

While we have daylight, we will use words, pictures and numbers in our journal pages to describe what we find on the beach. After sunset, we will gather around some tables and chairs to practice techniques of sketching, and note-taking for observation.  

Molly will share examples from her own journals and offer tools and suggestions for establishing or adding to your own practice of nature journaling.  

Bring a notebook or sketchbook and any tools you like to use for writing, drawing. We will have some supplies available to borrow. 

About Molly:

Molly Torrey

Molly is an educator and artist, born in the USA and living in Abu Dhabi for the past 10 years. Whether in the mangroves, Al Wathba Wetland or Umm Al Emarat park, you can find her connecting with the natural world through the time-tested practice of keeping a nature journal. By slowing down, retraining our attention, a nature journal becomes a tool to unleash learning, curiosity, creativity and conservation. Molly is passionate about introducing people to the practice of keeping a nature journal and she is actively working to build a community of nature journalers in Abu Dhabi.