Nature Journaling in the canopy is an exciting and challenging new frontier. I want to use nature journaling to help save the world’s biodiversity and this is the perfect place to do it. I have been training in a variety of challenging and extreme situations in tropical forests. Now it is time to put all of that to the test. Find out how it goes when the show premieres this Wednesday at 6pm California time.
Welcome to the rainforest…
First the sound. Toucans, Oropendolas, parrots, and howler monkeys vocally greet the wet tropical dawn. Then the poison dart frogs start to chirp and several species of ant birds perform their morning songs as well. Water droplets smack, patter, and tap from a thousand leaves and directions at once. The howler monkeys roar again. Next, come the visuals. From where I type I watch kaleidoscopic layers of green take shape as the sky lightens. Vines, lianas, palm fronds, heliconias. Understory, climbers, mosses, epiphytes, bromeliads, and strangler figs. The pale lichen-encrusted trunks of the tallest trees stand out against the writhing mass of green. Reaching straight and skyward like impossible columns.
Stand at the base of one of these columns and look up. That is where we are going.
Nature Journaling in the Canopy: Why do it?
- First of all, the rainforest canopy is like an under-explored eighth continent. Because it is so hard to access it remains understudied. In fact, we probably know more about the surface of the moon.
- Secondly, this unique ecosystem is in danger. Actually, we are destroying it faster than we can learn about it. Canopy species are going extinct before they can be discovered.
- Thirdly, the canopy and all the life forms therein are not only worth saving and understanding for their own intrinsic value but also for our own self interest. In fact, human survival on this planet might depend on new medicines found here and we already know that we breathe the oxygen produced in the canopy every day.
- Last but not least we need help changing our behavior. Unfortunately, we already have all the information telling us to protect the rainforest in general and the canopy in particular. However, all the knowledge in the world does not seem to be helping us slow down the destruction of this invaluable resource. I believe that nature journaling has the ability to actually change people unlike the usual media and scientific papers.
The Future…
I have invested a large amount of time and money this year to get a training in an intensive canopy access training course. In addition to the above reasons I also want to create compelling and educational episodes for the Nature Journal Show. Bringing all of you up into the canopy with me will be fun! Don’t miss the first episode in the canopy.
I am envisioning a future where thousands of people around the world are trained in nature journaling techniques. They come from diverse professions and backgrounds but they are all using nature journaling to learn about and communicate the wonders of the canopy. Through their more nuanced observations and their compelling nature journal pages we are able to create change in the world. We are able to save this unique green world high above are heads. And nature journaling is essential.
Want to be a part of this movement? Join the community and support this work at patreon.com/marleypeifer.
But what if I’m completely new to nature journaling?
Regardless of your experience, we got you right here. Below are links to some super resources for beginner nature journalers.
Are you just getting started with Nature Journaling?
Here are tips and motivation for beginners.
