Top Five Nature Journaling Techniques for 2025
Here are my top five nature journaling techniques for 2025. All lists like this are a bit arbitrary and imperfect. However, these are based on my over 10 years of […]
Key Takeaways from Wild Wonder 2024
Here are some of the key lessons I got from Wild Wonder nature journaling Conference 2024. Did I miss some? Add yours in the comments. Find joy in the familiar. […]
Top Quotes from Wild Wonder 2024
I was at every class, keynote, and discussion panel on the schedule for the Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference and here are some of the best quotes that I was […]
Nature Sketching and Nature Journaling: What’s the Difference?
Have you ever wondered what is the difference between nature journaling and nature sketching? Nature sketching and nature journaling are two popular ways to connect with nature and record observations […]
Nature Journaling for Beginners: Essentials
Do you want the best tips on nature journaling for beginners distilled from years of teaching, interviewing beginners and experts, and watching how newbies learn nature journaling? I have talked […]
Birding Homework (live episode)
Do you ever give yourself nature journaling homework? In this live episode of the Nature Journal Show, Marley shows us how to use birding homework to make us better nature […]
Intertidal Zone Nature Journaling
What do you like to do during the low tide? If you’re like Marley Peifer, you might enjoy going to the rocky shore, doing some nature journaling of the intertidal […]
Nature Journal Homeschool Family
This nature journal homeschool family will inspire you! Crystal and Amaya share their perspective of nature journaling in a family with four kids. Because of their experience I ask them […]
How to Use a Viewfinder for Drawing Landscapes
Did you know that you can improve a drawing 75% before you even start drawing? Knowing how to use a viewfinder for drawing landscapes is the first step. Whether you […]
How to Choose a Sketchbook for Nature Journaling
How do I choose a sketchbook for nature journaling? Which paper is best? What size should I choose? Don’t worry, don’t waste money, and don’t blindly get the same journal […]
How To Draw Standing Up
Learning how to draw standing up can make you a better artist in addition to multiplying your drawing opportunities! Here, I describe several mistakes you are probably making right now […]
How to Nature Journal in 10 Steps
Do you want to learn how to nature journal? Do you want to avoid the most common beginner mistakes? Right now, I show you 10 steps to getting started with […]
Pets in Your Nature Journal
Pets and nature journaling are a match made in heaven. If you have a pet and you have not nature journaled them yet then you are missing out! In this […]
Avocado Seed Journaling in Your Nature Journal: 100 Days
Have you ever sprouted an avocado seed? What if you journaled an avocado seed’s germination for 100 days? In this video, I interview Kate Rutter who did just that! She […]
Tree Drawing In Your Nature Journal
Tree drawing is a cornerstone of nature art in general and nature journaling in particular. When you learn how to draw trees better your sketchbook or nature journal will improve […]
Nature Journaling For Kids and Families
Nature journaling for kids could be the solution for your summer. Are your kids already bouncing off the walls at home? Are you worried about them losing focus, losing momentum, […]
Landscape Drawing In Your Nature Journal-With Charcoal!
Do you want to practice landscape drawing while improving your nature sketches? If so, practicing drawing landscapes with charcoal can help you. First, and most importantly, drawing with charcoal will […]
Drawing Prompts For Nature Journaling at Home
In this video you will learn ten drawing prompts that are fun, helpful, and engaging. Have you ever experienced creative block? Have you ever felt a lack of ideas or […]
How to Paint Landscapitos!
Do you want a fun and creative way to connect with a place and create a memory? Painting small landscapes is the answer. In this video I have ten tips […]
Nature De-Stress…
Have you ever had the feeling that time slowed down, your breathing became relaxed, and you felt a renewed connection to the world around you? I had this experience recently […]
Nature Journal Weird Carnivorous Plants!
Do you want to escape the cold and the rain to go on a nature journaling vacation to a tropical rain forest in February? You are in luck because on […]
Nature Journal Galapagos Voyage!
In the summer of 2022 I will be nature journaling in the Galapagos Islands with John Muir Laws and a boat-full of nature journalers! The trip is already full but […]
Mix up Your Media!
Do you get stuck in artistic ruts? In this video I describe a personal rut and how I got out of it.
The Nature Journal Show!
Those of you that follow my youtube channel have seen that I started a weekly nature journaling show! I am really excited about it and have been putting a lot […]
Journaling to Save the World
It was dark and drizzly as I started the engine of my car this morning. The pale glow of the dashboard clock said 4:26 am as it blinked into life […]
10 Landscape Painting Tips on a Hot Day!
Did you see my last video and want to learn more? In this one I share the technical side…Let me know where you are at in your learning journey. What […]
Follow me in this video as I discover that it is hotter in California than it was in East Africa!
Nature Journaling Class at Pepperwood Preserve
I’m excited to be doing my first collaboration with the Pepperwood Preserve this year! On August 24th I will be teaching “Seeing More Through Nature Journaling” at their incredible 3,200 […]
Tracking for Journalers: The Secret Language of Nature (San Francisco)
Do you want to take your nature observations to the next level? Do you want to see more animals and understand more of what is going on around you? Join […]
The Last Nature Journaling Adventure Video?
Join me on this foggy and cold nature journaling field trip to the biodiverse coastal dunes of Sonoma County! This will be my last nature journal adventure post before my […]
My Favorite Journal for Everything
Do you want to know what journal to use for nature journaling, sketching, and mindset journaling? In this video I describe my choice and why I have used this same […]
Pitcher Plant Bonanza!
In June, the North Coast Nature Journal Club is privileged to enjoy the peak of the pitcher plants at California Carnivores in Sonoma County! This nursery contains the largest collection […]
Nature Journal With Me
Follow me to the coast for a fun and challenging nature journaling outing.
Nature Journal Quick Tip:
Nature Journaling is not about drawing pretty pictures. It is about accelerating your learning and deepening your observations and connection in nature. Ironically, if you are focused on pretty pictures […]
Rainy Day? Eleven Nature Journal Ideas
It has been a really rainy/snowy winter, but that should not keep us from nature journaling. I spent a rainy day making this video with Eleven nature journaling ideas you […]
One Journal To Rule Them All?
“One Journal to rule them all, One Journal to write them, One Journal to connect them all, and on these pages bind them,” –Gandalf the Great In this video I […]
What I did This Winter
Happy new year everyone! I’m excited for all the cool plans I have for providing fun and valuable content and art this year. But to start with I’m gonna share […]
Journal Page Flip
Learn to Nature Journal at the Hallberg Butterfly Gardens!
I’m super excited to be collaborating with the biodiverse pollinator sanctuary Hallberg Butterfly Gardens! We will be offering an introduction to nature journaling course at their site in Sebastopol. […]
Marvel at Incredible Carnivorous Plants!
In the month of January, the North Coast Nature Journal club will stay out of the rain and warm inside the bio-diverse greenhouses at California Carnivores in Sebastopol! This local […]
More Than Just Drawing Plants
It is easy to think that nature journaling is just about drawing plants and animals when it is actually so much more. In this video I describe some of the […]
Nature Journal Inside! No Excuses
I had to cancel the nature journaling field trip for today but here is a video that I made to motivate you to nature journal at home! Consider it your […]
Special Access to Nature Journal at the Laguna!
In November, I have the opportunity to lead a crew of nature journalers on some normally inaccessible trails in the Laguna de Santa Rosa! I am really excited to be […]
The Quest for the Ultimate Nature Journaling Bag Continues!
In August I asked Tom Bihn Bags to send me one of their products to test for nature journaling and to use on my Tanzania trip. I already did an […]
Nature Journaling Process in the Field
Here is my journaling behind the scenes from this week: In addition to amping up my journaling practice I am also working to do a lot more videography and sharing […]
I’m Working Hard and Loving It
I include a lot of my thoughts, feelings, and routines on a roadtrip to teach at the Monterey Bay Birding Festival. I talk about my growing conviction that this kind […]
A Peak at My Latest Journal
Come with me as I peruse the pages of my last journal, sharing drawings and peppering the video with rants about the benefits of journaling. One journal usually spans three […]
Capture the Essence of California Oak Savanna
In the month of October the north coast nature journal club will be exploring the rolling hills and oak savanna of Helen Putnam Regional Park near Petaluma. We will practice […]
Nature Journal Jumpstart This Fall!
Do you want to experience nature with fresh eyes? Do you want to notice, understand, and remember more of the vibrant world around you? This fun class will teach you […]
Second Chance Elk Rut!
EVENT CANCELLED due to likelihood of smoke!!! If you want some nature journaling home study inspiration or exercises for this weekend please email me: marley339@gmail.com. I will also probably […]
Practice in Adverse Conditions
This video is meant to entertain and motivate you to learn faster, try harder, and push your edges…
Learn Faster: Nature Journaling in Information Dense Environments
Here is a practical technique that you can apply to learning almost any new skill but is especially useful for nature artists and nature journalers! I have been unintentionally doing […]
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Hadza Day Six
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Hadza Day Five
In this audiorecording, I continue to describe more of my adventures and observations with the Hadza hunter gatherers of Tanzania. This time, I visit a different group and describe more […]
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Hadza and Cultural Tourism
On my third day with the Hadza I tag along with the women for a little bit to learn about some of the plant resources they gather and use. When […]
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Hadza Hunt Day Two
On my second day out hunting with the Hadza I experimented with doing audiorecordings during the trip instead of trying to take notes in my small pocket notebook. It was […]
Spoken Reflections From Tanzania: Ngorongoro to Karatu
During my trip to Tanzania, I used my nature journal and my pocket notebook for drawing and writing and I used my phone for photos, short videos, and audio recordings. […]
Spoken Reflections from Tanzania: Day 2
During my trip to Tanzania, I used my nature journal and my pocket notebook for drawing and writing and I used my phone for photos, short videos, and audio recordings. […]
Nature Journal Safari and Hadzabe Tag a Long
A week from today I will be getting on a plane heading to East Africa and Tanzania. I have been preparing for months. I will visit the world renowned serengeti […]
Journal Page Flip
Nature Journal Field Trip to Sacramento Valley
On June fourth I will be participating in the Bay Area Nature Journal Club field trip with Jack Laws! I’m always excited to go Nature Journaling with Jack. Last time […]