Nature Journaling is far more than drawing leaves or documenting what we see outdoors. It’s a powerful thinking tool that strengthens observation, curiosity, reflection, and creativity across every subject area . Whether you’re teaching science, language, math, social studies, or the arts, the simple scaffolding of “I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of”  paired with words, pictures, and numbers  opens the door to rich, meaningful learning. Below are practical, classroom-ready

This fall, alongside running workshops and spending time outdoors with students, I decided to carve out some space for my own creativity and it has been one of the most joyful decisions I’ve made in a long time. Common Loon I’ve been taking art classes at Ricky Schaede Art Studio  in Orangeville, and what started as a small personal goal has quickly turned into a passion. I began with a graphite drawing class focused on animals, where I had an absolute blast drawing a loon, a

This fall marked my very first  season running in-school Nature Journaling programs and what an incredible beginning it has been! With the unusually warm start to October, students and I had the joy of stepping into a season bursting with colour and life. From brilliant red maple leaves to sunlit pine cones and late-autumn wildflowers, nature offered the perfect backdrop for launching these workshops. Over the past couple of months, I’ve had the privilege of working with hund

This summer was overflowing with creativity, connection, and discovery through the art of Nature Journaling. I had the privilege of working with people of all ages, families, children, teens, adults, and educators, each bringing their own perspective to the practice of slowing down and noticing the natural world. Here are some highlights from an inspiring season: Orangeville Library – Families, Teens, and Adults Partnering with the Orangeville Library was such a joy. I ran th

I’m the 2025 Canadian Wildlife Federation WILD Educator of the Year! I can officially share some exciting news, I’m the proud recipient of the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s WILD Educator of the Year Award for 2025 ! I’m beyond grateful for this incredible honour and still smiling from ear to ear. This year’s awards ceremony took place in the breathtaking city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories . Truly a land of wild beauty, long summer days, and the magic of the midnight

I’m back from my very first Outdoor Learning Conference  in beautiful Banff, Alberta and what an unforgettable experience it was! Hosted by Take Me Outside  and the Outdoor Learning School and Store , the event brought together passionate educators, inspiring speakers, and breathtaking landscapes for a few days of deep connection, collaboration, and learning. I had the unique opportunity to attend in a dual role, proudly representing both Project WET Canada  and my own organi

In the Fall of 2023, I had the privilege of teaming up with the wonderful Lauren Hickie, a Grade 6 teacher at my children's school, to run my very first 8-week nature journaling workshop. This experience was truly magical, and I am still reflecting on the impact it had on both the students and myself. Each week, I introduced the students to a new skill that built on the lessons from the previous week. My goal was not only to teach them how to nature journal, but also to help

In July of 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in a nature journaling trip hosted by the Wild Wonder Foundation in the breathtaking Sierra Nevadas. The week was filled with so much learning, adventure, and creativity that it’s still hard to put into words. Before venturing into the mountains, I spent the first two days in San Francisco, where I had the chance to try my hand at urban sketching. The city’s iconic scenery provided endless inspiration, and I spe

In June of 2022, I had a life-changing conversation on Zoom with John (Jack) Muir Laws. We were chatting when he casually asked, “Do you take holidays in the winter?” At the time, I was working for the Peel District School Board and told him that yes, I was lucky to be able to take vacation whenever I needed. Jack then mentioned that in February, the wildebeest were calving in large numbers in Tanzania. I instantly felt a surge of excitement and panic—was he talking about his

Looking back on my high school years, I realize just how fortunate I was to have the opportunity to participate in so many exciting programs and trips. One of the most memorable was in 1995 when I joined Bike Hike 95’ , a one-month cycling tour through England, Ireland, and Wales with my school. Led by three incredible teachers—Mr. Harrop, Mr. Lambert (who are sadly no longer with us), and Miss Morgan (now Mrs. Danford) this adventure became the catalyst for a lifelong passio