How to Nature Journal at the BioPark Albuquerque

Nature journaling is more than sketching leaves or writing down bird calls—it’s a mindful practice that deepens your connection to the living world around you. At the BioPark Albuquerque, a 64-acre urban oasis nestled in the heart of New Mexico, nature journaling transforms a simple visit into a rich, sensory exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or a curious beginner, this guide will show you how to engage with the BioPark’s diverse ecosystems through the art of nature journaling. You’ll learn how to observe, record, reflect, and grow your understanding of the desert, wetlands, and native wildlife that call this place home. Beyond aesthetics, nature journaling enhances memory, sharpens attention, and fosters environmental stewardship—all while enjoying the quiet beauty of one of the Southwest’s most cherished conservation spaces.

Step-by-Step Guide

Nature journaling at the BioPark Albuquerque is a flexible, personal practice, but following a structured approach helps beginners build confidence and consistency. Here’s how to begin your journey, step by step.

1. Plan Your Visit

Before you arrive, check the BioPark’s official website for operating hours, seasonal exhibits, and any special events. Early mornings or late afternoons offer the best lighting for sketching and the highest likelihood of animal activity. Weekdays are typically less crowded, giving you more space to sit quietly and observe. Consider the season: spring brings migratory birds and blooming desert wildflowers; summer offers vibrant amphibian activity near the wetlands; fall reveals changing foliage and preparing mammals; winter provides clear views of resident birds and quiet moments for reflection.

Pack light but thoughtfully. Bring a small notebook (preferably waterproof or bound with thick paper), a set of pencils (HB, 2B, and 4B are ideal), a small eraser, and a portable watercolor set if you’re comfortable with color. A magnifying glass, field guide, and phone (for reference or photos, not distraction) are optional but helpful. Wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and layers—desert temperatures shift dramatically.

2. Choose Your Observation Spot

The BioPark offers a variety of habitats perfect for journaling. Select a location that aligns with your interests:

• Desert Zone: Ideal for cacti, lizards, and desert birds like the Greater Roadrunner. Look for patterns in spines, bark texture, and shadow play.
• Wetlands and Riparian Area: Rich in dragonflies, frogs, turtles, and waterfowl. Focus on ripples, reflections, and the movement of reeds.
• Native Animal Habitats: Observe bison, pronghorn, or coyotes in their enclosures. Note posture, social behavior, and interaction with terrain.
• Children’s Discovery Garden: Great for plant close-ups—flowers, seed pods, and pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Once you’ve chosen your spot, sit still for at least five minutes. Let your eyes adjust. Don’t rush to write or draw. Just breathe and notice: What do you hear? What scents are in the air? How does the light fall on the ground?

3. Start with Observation, Not Art

Many beginners feel pressure to produce “good” drawings. Nature journaling isn’t about artistic perfection—it’s about accurate, thoughtful documentation. Begin by writing down what you see in plain language:

• Color: “The roadrunner’s back is a dusty gray-brown with faint black streaks.”
• Shape: “The prickly pear cactus has flat, oval pads with clusters of spines along the edges.”
• Movement: “The dragonfly hovers, then darts sideways in three quick bursts.”
• Sound: “A chorus of tree frogs begins at dusk—high-pitched, rhythmic trills.”

Use your senses fully. Close your eyes for a moment and listen. Open your notebook and describe the silence between sounds. Record temperature, wind direction, and humidity if you can estimate them. These details become powerful anchors for memory later.

4. Sketch What You See

Now, begin to draw. Don’t worry about proportions. Start with simple shapes:

• Use circles for heads, ovals for bodies, lines for limbs.
• For plants, sketch the outline of a leaf or flower, then add veins or petal layers.
• Focus on one object at a time—a single cactus spine, a frog’s eye, a feather.

Label your sketches: “Coyote ear—pointed, tufted fur inside,” or “Cattail seed head—brown, fluffy, clustered.” Add arrows or notes to indicate direction, texture, or behavior. If you’re unsure of a species, draw it anyway. Later, you can look it up.

5. Add Questions and Reflections

After sketching, turn your page and ask yourself:

• Why does this animal have this coloring?
• How does this plant survive in the desert heat?
• What would happen if this wetland dried up?

These questions are the heart of nature journaling. They transform passive observation into active curiosity. Don’t feel pressured to answer them immediately. Write them down as seeds for future research or return visits.

Include personal reflections too: “I felt calm here, even though I was anxious earlier.” “I noticed how quiet the coyote was—like it was watching me more than I was watching it.” These emotional notes make your journal uniquely yours.

6. Use Reference Materials Wisely

After your session, use a field guide or app (like iNaturalist or Merlin Bird ID) to identify what you observed. Compare your sketch to photos. Note any differences: “My drawing shows three toe pads, but the guide shows four.” This comparison builds your visual literacy and attention to detail.

Don’t rely on apps during your observation. Save identification for later. The goal is to train your eye, not your search bar.

7. Review and Reflect Weekly

Set aside 15 minutes each week to flip through your journal. Highlight entries that made you pause. Ask: What surprised me? What did I miss? Did I return to the same spot? Did my drawings improve?

Consider adding a “Weekly Insight” at the end of each entry: “This week, I noticed how often the roadrunner pauses before running—like it’s listening.” This habit turns journaling into a growing record of your evolving perception.

Best Practices

Consistency and intentionality are the cornerstones of effective nature journaling. Here are proven best practices to elevate your experience at the BioPark Albuquerque.

Keep It Simple and Portable

Your journal should be easy to carry and use. A small, spiral-bound notebook (5x7 inches or smaller) with thick, textured paper works best. Avoid loose sheets—they get lost. A pencil case with a few pencils, a sharpener, and a small water brush (for light washes) fits easily in a pocket or backpack. You don’t need expensive tools. A

2 pencil and a cheap notebook are perfectly adequate.

Embrace Imperfection

One of the biggest barriers to nature journaling is the fear of “bad” art. But nature journaling isn’t gallery art—it’s personal documentation. A lopsided frog, a smudged cactus, or a messy label still holds value. In fact, imperfections often capture the immediacy and honesty of the moment. Your journal is a record of your learning, not a competition.

Use a Consistent Format

Creating a simple template helps build rhythm. Try this structure for each entry:

• Date & Time: “June 12, 7:45 a.m.”
• Location: “Wetlands Boardwalk, near the heron rookery.”
• Weather: “Sunny, 78°F, light breeze from the west.”
• Observation: “One Great Blue Heron standing motionless in shallow water. Wings folded. Beak pointed down.”
• Sketch: (Draw the heron, label beak, legs, feathers.)
• Question: “Why does it stand so still? Is it waiting or resting?”
• Reflection: “I felt like an intruder. It didn’t move, but I felt watched.”

This format becomes second nature over time and makes your journal easier to revisit and analyze.

Observe Regularly, Even Briefly

You don’t need hours. Ten minutes of focused attention is more valuable than an hour of distracted wandering. Try journaling during lunch breaks, after school, or before dinner. Even a single entry per week builds a powerful cumulative record. Over time, you’ll notice patterns: which birds return each season, how plants bloom in sequence, how weather affects animal behavior.

Respect the Environment

Nature journaling should never disturb the wildlife or habitat. Stay on marked paths. Do not feed animals. Avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Keep your distance. If an animal moves away, don’t follow. Your presence is already an intrusion—make it as gentle as possible.

Leave no trace. Take all supplies with you. Avoid using permanent markers or glue that could attract insects or damage plants.

Journal in All Seasons

The BioPark changes dramatically throughout the year. Winter reveals bare branches and dormant roots. Spring bursts with color and song. Summer brings heat-adapted behaviors. Fall showcases seed dispersal and migration. Each season offers new lessons. Commit to journaling in every season—even when it’s hot, cold, or windy. Your journal will become a living archive of ecological change.

Engage All Five Senses

Most journalers focus on sight. Expand your practice:

• Sound: Record bird calls, insect buzzes, wind through grasses. Use symbols: “Trrrrr” for cicadas, “Kee-ee” for a hawk.
• Smell: “Damp earth after rain,” “sour scent of juniper berries,” “sweet decay of fallen cottonwood leaves.”
• Touch: “Cactus spine sharp but brittle,” “moss cool and spongy,” “bark rough like sandpaper.”
• Taste: (Use caution!) Only taste if you’re certain it’s safe. “Wild mint leaf—cool, sharp, clean.”

These sensory details bring your journal to life and deepen your connection to place.

Tools and Resources

While nature journaling requires minimal equipment, the right tools can enhance your experience and make your practice more enjoyable and effective. Below is a curated list of tools and resources specifically useful for journaling at the BioPark Albuquerque.

Essential Tools

• Waterproof Notebook: Field Notes or Moleskine Watercolor Notebook. Thick paper resists smudging and light water washes.
• Pencils: HB for fine lines, 2B for shading, 4B for dark outlines. A mechanical pencil with 0.5mm lead is great for detail.
• Erasers: Kneaded eraser (for gentle lifting) and a vinyl eraser (for clean removal).
• Watercolor Set: A compact travel set with 12 colors. Use sparingly—watercolors add emotional depth without overwhelming the sketch.
• Water Brush: A pen-like brush with a water reservoir. Perfect for adding color without carrying a separate water container.
• Magnifying Glass: A 5x or 10x loupe helps observe insect wings, leaf veins, or cactus glochids.
• Small Ziplock Bags: For collecting fallen leaves, seed pods, or petals (only if permitted and ethically harvested).

Recommended Field Guides

These guides are tailored to the Southwest and available at the BioPark gift shop or local bookstores:

• “Birds of the Southwest” by David Sibley – Comprehensive, with detailed illustrations and range maps.
• “A Field Guide to Desert Plants of the Southwest” by Michael J. Beaman and Carol L. Beaman – Identifies cacti, succulents, and desert shrubs with clear diagrams.
• “Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico” by Robert N. Hofmann – Essential for identifying lizards, frogs, and snakes in the wetlands.
• “The Nature Journaling Guide” by John Muir Laws – A practical manual for developing observational skills and journaling techniques.

Digital Resources

Use digital tools to supplement, not replace, your physical journal:

• iNaturalist App: Upload photos to get community ID help. Your observations contribute to citizen science databases.
• Merlin Bird ID (Cornell Lab): Record bird calls and get instant identification.
• Seek by iNaturalist: Identify plants and animals via camera—great for quick checks after journaling.
• BioPark Website and Mobile App: Check current animal sightings, trail maps, and educational programs.
• YouTube Channels: Search “nature journaling for beginners” or “desert ecology New Mexico” for inspiration.

Local Workshops and Events

The BioPark regularly hosts nature journaling workshops, especially during spring and fall. These are led by naturalists and artists who guide participants through observation exercises. Check the events calendar on the BioPark website. Many are free with admission and suitable for all ages.

Join the Albuquerque Nature Journaling Group on Facebook. Members share photos, tips, and meetups at the BioPark and other local sites. You’ll find encouragement, feedback, and community.

Printable Resources

Download free journaling prompts and templates from:

• John Muir Laws’ website: johnmuirlaws.com – Offers downloadable sketching exercises and observation cards.
• North American Nature Photography Association: nana.org – Printable field journal pages.
• Albuquerque BioPark Education Department: www.nmzoo.org/education – Seasonal journaling kits for families and educators.

Real Examples

Real nature journal entries bring theory to life. Below are three authentic examples from visitors to the BioPark Albuquerque—each demonstrating different styles, goals, and levels of experience.

Example 1: A Child’s First Entry (Age 8)

Date: April 3, 2024
Location: Children’s Discovery Garden
Weather: Sunny, 72°F, wind blowing

Observation: I saw a big yellow bee on a purple flower. It had fuzzy legs and was moving fast. The flower had five petals and a green stem with tiny hairs.

Sketch: (A simple drawing of a bee with two wings, a round body, and a flower with five petals. Label: “BEE,” “FLOWER,” “Hairs.”)

Question: Why does the bee have fuzzy legs?

Reflection: I didn’t know bees were fuzzy. I thought they were smooth. I felt happy when it flew away.

Notes from parent: “She spent 12 minutes just watching that bee. She didn’t want to leave. This was the first time she asked me a question she couldn’t Google.”

Example 2: A College Student’s Botanical Study (Age 21)

Date: May 18, 2024
Location: Desert Zone, near the barrel cactus cluster
Weather: 94°F, dry, no wind

Observation: Three Ferocactus wislizeni (barrel cactus) in full bloom. Flowers are bright yellow, 3–4 inches wide, clustered at the crown. Each flower has 10–12 petals, arranged in a spiral. The spines are dense, reddish-brown, and curve downward. No visible pollinators yet.

Sketch: Detailed cross-section of one flower, showing petal arrangement and stamen structure. Annotated with measurements.

Question: Why do these cacti bloom only in late spring? Is there a specific temperature trigger?

Reflection: I’ve studied desert plants in class, but seeing them in the wild changes everything. The way the light hits the spines creates shadows like lace. I feel like I’m seeing them for the first time.

Follow-up: The student returned two weeks later and observed bees visiting the flowers. Added a note: “Pollinators arrived. Two honeybees and one sweat bee. The cactus is alive.”

Example 3: A Retiree’s Seasonal Reflection (Age 68)

Date: November 5, 2023
Location: Wetlands Boardwalk
Weather: 58°F, overcast, mist rising off water

Observation: One Great Blue Heron still here. It stands in the same spot as last winter. Its feathers look ruffled, less glossy. No other herons visible. Water level lower than in spring. Dead reeds leaning sideways.

Sketch: A minimal line drawing of the heron, with shading to show feather texture. Below: “Feathers: dull gray, not blue. Eyes: dark, focused.”

Question: Why does it stay? Is it injured? Or does it know this spot is safe?

Reflection: I’ve been coming here for 12 years. I’ve watched children grow up, trees fall, droughts come and go. This heron is a constant. It doesn’t care about my worries. But it reminds me to be still. To wait. To notice.

Next entry, March 2024: “The heron is gone. But I found its feather near the boardwalk—long, gray, with a soft downy base. I tucked it into my journal. It’s still here, even if it isn’t.”

FAQs

Do I need to be good at drawing to nature journal?

No. Nature journaling is about observation, not artistic skill. Even stick figures can capture meaningful details. Many professional scientists and naturalists use simple sketches because they’re fast, accurate, and personal. Focus on what you see, not how it looks.

Can I use a digital device like a tablet?

You can, but it’s not ideal for beginners. Screens distract from presence. The act of drawing by hand engages your brain differently—it improves memory and attention. If you use a tablet, limit it to photos for reference, not journaling. Save digital tools for later research.

Is nature journaling allowed at the BioPark?

Yes. The BioPark encourages nature journaling as an educational and reflective activity. Just be respectful: stay on paths, don’t disturb animals, and avoid loud conversations. Journaling is quieter than photography and more immersive than guided tours.

How long should I spend journaling each visit?

As little as 10 minutes can be transformative. Quality matters more than quantity. One focused observation is better than an hour of distracted wandering. Aim for consistency—once a week is ideal.

What if I don’t know what I’m seeing?

That’s okay. Draw it anyway. Write: “Unknown insect with striped body.” Later, use a field guide or app to identify it. The mystery is part of the process. Your journal becomes a record of your learning journey.

Can children do nature journaling?

Absolutely. Children are natural observers. Start with simple prompts: “Draw one thing you saw,” “What color was it?” “What did it sound like?” Use large paper and crayons. The goal is curiosity, not perfection.

Can I journal with a group?

Yes. Group journaling can be powerful. Try silent observation for 10 minutes, then share one thing you noticed. No criticism—just listening. Many BioPark workshops facilitate this kind of group reflection.

What if the weather is bad?

Bad weather often reveals the most interesting behavior. Rain brings out worms and frogs. Wind shows how plants move. Cold reveals animal tracks. Journaling in all conditions deepens your understanding of ecology. Bring a rain cover for your notebook.

How do I keep my journal from getting damaged?

Use a waterproof cover or ziplock bag. Store it in a backpack with your other supplies. Avoid leaving it in direct sun or damp areas. If your pencil marks smudge, lightly spray with hair spray (test first) to fix the drawing.

Can I use nature journaling for school or work?

Yes. Teachers use it in biology, art, and environmental science classes. Scientists use it for field notes. Journaling builds critical thinking, attention to detail, and patience—skills valuable in any profession.

Conclusion

Nature journaling at the BioPark Albuquerque is not a hobby—it’s a practice of presence. In a world that moves too fast, it invites you to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply. Each sketch, each question, each note becomes a thread in a larger tapestry of ecological awareness. You’re not just recording what you see—you’re learning to see with wonder.

The desert, the wetlands, the animals, the plants—they are not just exhibits. They are teachers. The roadrunner doesn’t care if your drawing is perfect. The cactus doesn’t judge your handwriting. They simply are. And in their quiet persistence, they offer a gift: the chance to reconnect with the living world.

Start small. Pick one spot. Sit for ten minutes. Draw one leaf. Write one question. Return tomorrow. Over time, your journal will become more than a record—it will become a companion, a mirror, and a map of your growing relationship with the natural world.

At the BioPark Albuquerque, nature is always waiting. All you need is a pencil, a notebook, and the courage to be still.