Wild Wonder Micro Grant Fellows

Ashley Farrell

GRANT: $950

LOCATION: Mesa County, Colorado, USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling at REC will expand nature journaling programming to reach more students in more spaces. The Micro Grant will help Ashley Farrell, REC’s enrichment coordinator, to expand nature programming to a traditionally under-resourced and underserved region of Colorado as well as increase nature journaling supplies for their lending library.  Key staff will be trained in best practices for leading nature journaling lessons with the students. In addition, REC program sites will engage youth and families in nature journaling at three family events.

The Micro Grant will support the purchase of nature journals for 850 regularly attending students and journaling supplies to build additional nature journaling kits for their lending library.

Deeksha Bhatia

GRANT: $950

LOCATION: New Delhi, India

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The goal of Eco-Learners: Growing Through Nature Journaling is to introduce underprivileged children, including those below the poverty line, with special needs, or rescued from child labor, to the practice of nature journaling. A key component of the program will be the creation of a Nature Journaling Club at the primary school, building on the existing Eco Club. This club will introduce nature-based art, basic gardening, and environmental awareness, and will expand to two other schools. Outcomes of this project will include increased students' environmental awareness, creativity, observation skills, and critical thinking, while promoting well-being through outdoor activities.

The Micro Grant  will support the purchase of journaling materials, a field trip, and training for teachers and volunteers.

Eszter Boros

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Okhaldhungha District, Nepal

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Okhaldhunga Nature Journaling Club will introduce nature journaling to women and youth in Okhaldhunga, Nepal, as a tool for self-expression, environmental education, and community cohesion. By forming a Nature Journaling Club, Eszter aims to empower participants to document their experiences with local nature, create a sense of ownership of their stories, and build social connections through creative expression. This project will include weekly nature journaling sessions, youth workshops, and an exhibition to showcase the participants’  nature journals.

The Micro Grant will support the purchase of nature journaling supplies and funding for the exhibition showcase.

Jessica Snaman Myers

GRANT: $409

LOCATION: Pershing, Humboldt and Lander Counties, Nevada.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nevada Outdoor School’s Nature Journaling Club will provide monthly hour-long nature-based experiences for underserved K-4th grade youth and teachers in 3 rural northern Nevada Counties to develop a positive relationship through outdoor exploration and observation. Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) AmeriCorps Outdoor Educators will facilitate these monthly nature journaling club lessons focusing on a different topic and theme.Students and teachers will initially be introduced to nature journaling as a tool to deepen their connection to, understanding of, and respect for the natural world.

The Micro Grant will support nature journaling materials for 300 participants.

Khalilah Zakariya

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Ritma Alam Explorers aims to promote nature journaling as a method of documentation, observation, and creativity for students, staff, and local communities. Through a series of workshops, the project will train interested university staff and students to develop journaling skills, and then teach them to the children and youth in nearby communities. Khalilah envisions establishing “Ritma Alam Explorers” as a nature journaling collective, where students, lecturers,  and the community can come together to share their journals and build connections.

The Micro Grant will support nature journaling supplies for the project team and participants, printing of materials, and snacks for workshops.

Lori Holguin

GRANT: $897

LOCATION: North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Wilkes County Schools English as a Second Language (ESL) department will embark on a year long nature journaling project, Nature Journaling for Science and Writing Success, to incorporate more science into their writing through nature journaling. After experiencing nature journaling through a training session, teachers will work as a team to build a set of activities that align to science standards to get started on this adventure with their students. Says Holguin, “We have many students enrolling in school that have significant trauma due to the difficulty of immigrating to the US and this is a way for us to provide support in that area, as well. Being in nature is proven to be a way to release stress and anxiety.”

The Micro Grant will support the purchase of collections of children’s nature books and student journals for 620 students..

María Yolanda Núñez Medina

GRANT: $593

LOCATION: Lo Espejo, Santiago, Chile

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling for Public Health Personnel will offer a series of talks and workshops on science and art for those who do not have easy and scientifically accurate access to information about climate change and urban flora and fauna. The target audience is public health personnel from the Lo Espejo council in Santiago de Chile. The project includes introduction to nature journaling,  presentations by scientists, and the creation of nature diaries in nearby urban parks and squares.

The Micro Grant will support the purchase of nature journaling materials for the participants and materials for the presentations.

Marie Nogues

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Tena, Province of Napo, Ecuador

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journal in Urban Nest Watching with PAU Tena  is a collaboration with PAU (Programa de Aves Urbanas) Tena, a non-profit organization which is part of an international network of volunteer nature educators promoting conservation and birdwatching. Since June 2024, Programa de Aves Urbanas (PAU) Tena has been conducting a monitoring project of the nests and the presence of plastic in the nests composition in the Parque Lineal of Tena. The Micro Grant project will include a series of workshops to  introduce nature journaling, combined with citizen science activities, to communicate and raise public awareness about  the native birds of the city and the impact of plastic in urban birds' habitat through a festival and publishing of a local bird guide.

The Micro Grant will support nature journaling materials for workshops, publishing of a local bird guide, and support for the festival day.

Rachel Ann D. Rivera

GRANT: $350

LOCATION: Las Pinas City, Metro Manila, Philippines

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling Booth at the 13th Asian Bird Fair will showcase a diverse collection of journal entries created by nature enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds including entries from local schools, environmental organizations, birdwatching clubs, and homeschooling communities. Throughout the event, they will host live nature journaling demonstrations, where attendees can learn basic techniques such as sketching, observation, and note-taking. These interactive demonstrations will encourage visitors to engage with nature and bird watching through journaling.

The Micro Grant will support supplies to engage visitors in nature journaling, booth interactive displays, and signage.

Rochely Morandini and Karen Okawa

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: City of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Spreading Nature Journaling in Brazil will  build on the excitement for nature journaling already in the São Paulo area by offering workshops, lectures, and in-person meetings with the aim of expanding nature journaling to the region. Specific activities include presenting at the Educators Forum in November, supporting nature journaling mentors online and in person through regular meetings, translating key nature journaling materials into Brazilian Portuguese, and providing motivational materials.

The Micro Grant will support the creation of a nature journaling library, purchase nature journaling supplies and signage for workshops, and translation and printing of nature journaling materials.

Barbara Patterson

GRANT: $282

LOCATION: Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Over the past two years, Barbara Patterson has been collaborating with school districts and conservation and community organizations–including the Fort Collins Audubon Society–to offer inclusive mindful birding workshops to diverse audiences including adults and teenagers with developmental disabilities and/or mental health challenges. Wild Wonder Micro Grant funds supported the development and purchase of small mindful birding journals for each participant in ten workshops, serving 150 people in the Fort Collins area.

In her workshops, Barbara strives to be inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, and races; she emphasizes different perspectives, blending indigenous knowledge with Western science; and she works with Birdability to make her workshops accessible for people with mental and physical challenges.

“Adding the journal to my mindful birding workshops has done three things,” says Patterson. “It has given [participants] a take-home to encourage them to continue this practice. It has guided them to incorporate this practice into their outdoor experiences. Most importantly, it has opened up their journaling to sketching, poetry, and art for a more gratifying experience. I love the unique ways that participants use their journals…as an individual expression of who they are, and their expression becomes a beautiful and unique gift.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Mindful Birding, supported the purchase of small mindful birding journals for each workshop participant in the Fort Collins area. 

Rebekah Hadlow

GRANT: $300

LOCATION: Aurora, Missouri, United States

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Rooted in Mindfulness is a free, weekly nature journaling program for families with children aged 0-18. Every week, families of Aurora, Missouri, meet in gardens, conservation areas and parks to learn about phenology, mindfulness, and journaling. Hadlow held a total of 22 sessions beginning in May 2024. At each 3-hour session, children and families settled into their "sit spots" and were encouraged to capture the changing environmental colors as well as the development of monarch caterpillars. The children watched the season's fruits and vegetables develop from flowers, then harvested them to make food and snacks in the classroom. Using their sit spots, basic art terminology, and the concept of phenology, the children developed a great sense of awareness and sometimes even encouraged the parents to use their "listening ears" to hear the different birds in the surroundings. Parents have reported that the enrolled children often request their sit spots independently and request to take their nature journals on walks and to parks to document their surroundings. 

“I have learned the art of the ‘sit spot’ as well as the practice of phenology and how useful it is to teach children and adults how to be in touch with their surroundings,” remarked Hadlow. “I also learned that watching our small, rural creek has been a long study in phenology for my own children! My intention is to continue offering nature journaling as a part of the outdoor school we have started here in Aurora, MO. With the families we were able to ‘enroll’ in our grant and nature programming, we have been able to build a substantial community that is interested in conservation and advocacy on a local level. This is definitely the beginning of an exciting chapter for Aurora, Missouri!”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Rooted in Mindfulness, supported the purchase of quality journals and supplies for the participating families.

Kari Shelton

GRANT: $350

LOCATION: San Marcos, California, United States

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

In the Schoolyard Nature Explorers project, kindergarten and first grade students engaged with pockets of nature found in their urban community. Students used the science and engineering practices to make observations, ask questions, and collect data in their nature journal about the living things they found.

​​First graders worked as naturalists to connect the community to the ants that share their environment. They engaged in the science practices through hands-on investigations and observed animals on campus, in their local community, at the zoo, and at the Safari Park. 

With the support of entomology experts from Holway Laboratory at UCSD, students conducted research on local ants and they shared their understanding in an informational research journal. Partnering with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, students shared their knowledge about ants, and they then applied this knowledge to create an interactive journal to engage guests at their exhibition at the Safari Park. These projects, combined with collaboration with local experts, fostered a greater appreciation for ants within their community.

A first grader exclaimed: “People are walking across the ground and most people don’t even notice ants! I used to squish ants and think they were annoying, but now I think they’re really cool. We were doing science like actual scientists, like Scientist Ellie. And we can make major discoveries! We even worked with real scientists—that’s the science we’re doing, and it’s really awesome!”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Schoolyard Nature Explorers, supported the purchase of journaling materials and a collection of nature books.

Gersony Jovchelevich

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Diário da Natureza: Aprendendo a ser Cientistas collaborated with a Jesumina Domene Dal Farra Public School and Aitiara Waldorf School in Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, to encourage children, ages six to ten, to explore the wonders of nature through nature journaling and birdwatching.

This project engaged more than 130 students in making sound maps, recording nature on school yards, and observing and recording bird activity. It also included a field trip to an Ecotone region between the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado–Brazilian Savanna where students saw and journaled about birds, large flowering trees, and squirrels. Other activities included a variety of experiences to awaken the senses and encourage observation such as “Find the Tree,” where students formed pairs and one blindfolded child was led by the other, to a tree (among several nearby) and later had to find the tree with eyes open, after returning to the starting point. 

“A nice surprise was seeing some students start doing research at home and keeping personal notebooks,” said Gersony. “One student researched birds online, chose some, studied and drew them and made his own ‘book of special birds.’ Two other students began nature journaling in their backyards and during vacations.”

In May 2024 Gersony Jovchelevich presented a poster about the project at the 17th Brazilian Bird Watching Conference in São Paulo.

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Diário da Natureza: Aprendendo a ser Cientistas, supported workshop development and supplies for this child-centered project.

Richelle Potter and Eva Asher

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Lake Chapala, Jalisco, Mexico

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling Lake Chapala offered six workshops that introduced nature journaling to more than 60 people, including families, teens and young adults, volunteers, and urban sketchers. This three-week program was a collaboration with BioTU, Permaculture Demonstration Site, Ombligo, a home-schooling project, and Casa Tonantzin, a collective founded by young artists and permaculturists. The program introduced nature journaling and shared opportunities for conservation and sustainable practices around Lake Chapala. Takeaways included Your Quick Start Guide to Nature Journaling zines in English and Spanish, prompts for composing Haikus, and inspiration to continue nature journaling. The volunteers are now able to share nature journaling in the future, and they plan to start Nature Journal Lake Chapala Clubs. 

“I felt very happy and accomplished when I saw the kids being enthusiastic and grateful for our offering,” said Eva Ramirez. “I felt honored to have been able to be part of their lives in that way, [and I hope] our workshops steered their lives in a very positive way. I know I would have really loved it if I had encountered that when I was younger. 

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Nature Journaling Lake Chapala, supported the purchase of nature journaling supplies for nature journaling field kits, use of educational spaces, ground transportation, and necessary potable water.

Lidia Chmielewska

GRANT: $1000

LOCATION: Zaježová, Slovakia, EU

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling: Educating in Rural Areas focused on bringing the new possibilities for nature journaling to rural areas, expanding on already established regular nature journaling workshops, and creating a nature journaling library available to the community. This project included the development and offering of weekly workshops for local school children using books, magnifying lenses, and binoculars provided through the Wild Wonder micro grant. The school provided sketchbooks for each student. 

Chmielewska says she noted many positive results from the program. “One of the boys told me that now he wants to draw everything that he is observing! He lives next to the forest, and it looks like he found exactly something that is ‘his.’ He shows me his sketchbook every time I’m around and explains beautiful stories about his encounters. Parents are trusting me, and they are supportive seeing the excitement of their children.
And as I thought, students who were struggling to integrate for some reason, or they're ‘known’ for having issues focusing, are really finding themselves in journaling and they are looking forward to the next workshops. I feel really privileged to have this opportunity to work with a small group, where the student can get a lot of my attention if required.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Nature Journaling: Educating in Rural Areas, supported the purchase of nature journaling supplies and books for a nature journaling lending library.

Christy Howard

GRANT: $350

LOCATION: Bozeman, Montana, USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling for Seniors and Assisted Living Residents reached 63 seniors in Bozeman-area assisted living and retirement homes. The program goals were to enhance the well-being and quality of life for senior residents through fostering a deep connection with nature as they journal and learn about the beautiful Gallatin Valley. The objectives of this project included promoting mental health and providing therapeutic benefits through bi-weekly nature journaling sessions, strengthening community bonds by enhancing the relationship between local natural history non profit organizations and residents, and fostering a deeper connection between seniors and nature in the Gallatin Valley.

“I am thrilled to see the new connections and friendships that are forming,” said Howard, adding “my journalers also have a wealth of history and knowledge to share. For example, Mike worked in Yellowstone and helped fight the big fire in ’88. Jerry has been an avid fisherman her entire life and can tell me more about fish how and the streams and rivers have changed over the years better than anyone I know. They have ways of looking at the world that have inspired me. Community is such an important part of this journey. Social support is essential.”

The feedback from journalers was overwhelmingly positive as noted in this quote from a participant: “It's so refreshing to connect with nature through art and discovery, and I've discovered that even I can draw a bird. The guest speakers and hands-on materials have enriched my understanding of The Valley and I look forward to each session. Thank you, Christy, for all that you share.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Nature Journaling for Seniors and Assisted Living Residents, supported initial costs of art supplies, guest speakers, and outreach materials, enabling the program's success.

Sara Bellis

GRANT: $884

LOCATION: Shropshire, UK

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Lost of Art of Noticing grant began to support and grow an established community of nature journalers called “Get Out Get Arty” (GOGA), a program that has had a significant positive impact on participants' physical and mental health. Through research and conversations with her community, Sara Lanyon identified challenges and barriers, such as limited vision and motor skills, and chronic pain, around drawing and writing on the pages of a nature journal.  From these conversations “Sonic Postcards” began, a process to create audio journals to make nature journaling more inclusive and accessible. Micro grant funds were used to purchase professional microphones and run two volunteer training sessions for future walk leaders, followed by three community nature journaling sessions, focusing on sonic postcards. Outcomes include a Sonic Postcard Zine, an increase in members due a more inclusive approach to nature journaling outings, and connections with local community partners.

“Sara’s training days at Haughmond were terrific,” remarked a volunteer. “They were thorough and informative, making sure we each had a go at the skills needed and careful of our welfare in a way that reminded us of our role as journaling walk leaders. We noticed the different ways group members notice, [and that was] an invitation to be curious. We practiced those skills [and] for me it has changed the way I listen to and contribute to conversation. I came away more confident that what I see and notice in nature is of value and that I have something interesting to contribute. This is what I hope for anyone attending any walk I may do in the future that invites people to approach ‘hidden’ nature through…looking, listening and recording.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, The Lost Art of Noticing- Sonic Postcards, supported audio journaling equipment, outreach materials, and volunteer training.

Fabiola del Aguila

GRANT: $300

LOCATION: Eugene, Oregon, USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Running Wild: Journaling While Running Through Wild Landscapes was focused on runners who like to connect with nature on trail runs. Del Aguila held a total of six running events on trails through natural landscapes in San Diego, CA, and Eugene, OR, such as Mount Pisgah Arboretum, an arboretum and botanical garden where journalers got an opportunity to explore the ecology of the Southern Willamette Valley. 

Fabioloa said that, through the project, she was surprised to learn “how much gratitude people have for nature and how willing they are to be curious.”

She is already considering how to expand on this experience, possibly branching out to rock climbers, cyclists, mountaineers, ultra runners, even scuba divers. “The possibilities are there and I will remain curious and in wonder about how far the magic of nature journaling will go, “ remarked del Aguila.

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Running Wild: Journaling While Running Through Wild Landscapes, supported nature journaling materials, Wild Wonder starter kits, and Wild Wonder stickers.

Esteban Lobo Pérez

GRANT: $414

LOCATION: San Rafael County, Heredia province, Costa Rica.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling Club for Environmental Education supported the creation of a nature journaling club in Costa Rica for educators interested in applying nature journaling practice as an environmental education tool and for people of all ages who are motivated to connect and learn with nature in community. Building this club from the ground up included developing a club core mission and vision and values, creating a website and Instagram profile to highlight club activities, and designing and implementing outings that built capacity and community. The first club outing was a workshop for environmental educators where he introduced nature journaling concluding with a potluck and sharing. Pérez plans to have future collaborations with community environmental partners.

“The project has fueled my interest in further investigating how to apply nature journaling in environmental education processes. I have found enormous potential in its application in biodiversity conservation and research in Costa Rica,” says Pérez. “Thinking about the mission, vision, and values ​​of the club was crucial for me. Realizing that there are other people who identify with it inspires and motivates me to continue with the project and integrate more people.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Nature Journaling Club for Environmental Education: Costa Rica, supported the purchase of beginning nature journaling kits and Zines for club members and general supplies for nature journaling educators.

Rachael Robbins

GRANT: $961

LOCATION: Burlington, WA, USA

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Nature Journaling and Field Guides brought 5th and 6th grade students face to face with their natural world through nature journaling, fostering a deep connection between art and nature in and out of the classroom. This expansion from one classroom last year to multiple classrooms this year has introduced the basics of nature journaling to 81 students who are now nature journaling outside each morning. Six graders exposed to nature journaling last year mentor the fifth graders on how to create a page and how to notice the organisms around them. Using John Muir Laws’s Nature Journal Connection videos each week to set a focus, students created a field guide for the Breazeale Interpretive Center and Aquarium on Padilla Bay. 

“This project has already had a tremendous impact on our students,” shared Robbins. “Students repeatedly express their love for nature journaling. Students are noticing changes in our outdoor classroom and the woods next to the building. They are telling me about nature journaling on their own after school. Their parents are sharing with me their child’s excitement about nature journaling. My partner teachers this year are also taking their homeroom students out every day to nature journal, and they’re learning alongside their students. Students’ noticings and wonderings are being applied to other areas of study and they’re curious and full of questions. This project is also impacting our local community. Our future work with the Breazeale Interpretive Center and the Burlington Public Library will reach members of our community and teach others about our local ecosystem.”

The Wild Wonder Micro Grant, Nature Journaling and Field Guides, funded quality journals for 90 students and teachers to use throughout the school year.