FROM ferns in a yard to the hovering seagulls on the Bund, every facet of nature, no matter how small, can be a source of fascination and inspiration. It’s just a matter of stopping, looking and recording the world around you.

About a decade ago, the concept of keeping a “nature journal” was introduced to China by conservationists and natural science educators as an engaging, positive way for people to learn about nature.

In 2011, Shanghai organized the first annual nature journal competition, followed by a similar event in the city of Chongqing in 2014.

The concept of keeping nature journals was popularized by US artist and naturalist Clare Walker Leslie in books like “Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You.”

The idea is to make nature awareness part of daily life and record on paper what you observe, using drawings and words. There are no hard and fast rules.

The emphasis is not on the quality of drawings, but rather on what the eye sees. It may be a bird hopping on a lawn, raindrops glistening on foliage or cloud formations reflecting light. Typically, journals focus on plants and wildlife near home.

Rui Dongli and Ren Zhong, two nature journal pioneers in China, share their stories with Shanghai Daily.

Rui Dongli:

Love of nature

As a child, Rui became interested in nature. She joined several nature-related organizations and read books about nature.

In 2009, when reading Clare Walker Leslie’s book, she was suddenly inspired to start her own nature journal.

“Very few people in China were doing it at that time,” she said. “I begwan posting photos of my nature journal on discussion forums and blogs, and people started to take interest and praise the idea.”

One of the devotees was Rui’s mother-in-law, Qin Xiuying, who lives in the countryside. At age 65, she began her own nature journal, despite the fact that she had only one year of formal schooling and couldn’t read or write.

“Nature journaling is for people of all ages as a way to examine the environment and get to know nature,” Rui explained. “My mother-in-law loves flower and plants, and her only way of including them in her journal is by drawing them.”

Qin also kept sketchbooks recording farm life. She did hundreds of sketches, and along the way, she learned how to read, write and use a computer.

In 2015, Qin published her nature journal, entitled “Huma’s Sky.” Its preface was written by Liu Zhenyun, one of China’s most acclaimed authors and screenwriters.

While nature journaling is mostly about depicting the beauties of nature, Rui also published a journal that documented environmental pollution and illegal wildlife practices.

“There are darks sides to nature that many people don’t fully recognize,” she said. “A nature journal provides a way to raise public awareness.”

In 2013, Rui was invited to discuss nature journals in schools as part of conservation education.

For children, spending five minutes to draw a simple sketch is not a heavy task. Drawing plants and animals can sharpen the ability to observe. For adults, nature journaling is an excellent way to reduce stress.

“You can draw the potted greens in your home, flowers in the yard or even the small insects,” said Rui.

Ren Zhong:

Nature journals as expression

Ren used to work in interior design, but now she is a freelancer promoting nature education and nature journals.

In 2009, she suddenly lost interest in her work as a designer drawing things like travel bags. She turned to nature and found a new vocation.

“I always took a lot of pictures of flowers, birds, fish and insects, and I realized many of my personal interests are related to nature,” she said. “Drawing is a process of meticulous description, capturing tiny derails that photography sometimes misses.”

Nature journals combine realism and one’s personal emotions, she said.

Her nature journal doesn’t dwell on any particular place. Ren takes photos whenever she is out doing daily tasks. She then does drawings based on the photos.

“In my journal, drawing is a bridge between my heart and nature,” she said.

Ren said a nature journal provides a positive learning experience for children because it promotes self-awareness and develops the ability to observe and create.

One doesn’t need to travel far, she said. Small gardens on street corners or flowerbeds in residential complexes are all excellent sites to observe nature.

“I hope parents will help cultivate their children’s interests in nature and the world around them,” said Ren. “It doesn’t cost anything and its possibilities are limitless.”

The 2017 Shanghai Nature Journal Competition

The 2017 Shanghai Nature Journal Competition will be held on July 2 at Daning Lingshi Park.

Since 2011, the Shanghai Wildlife Conservation Association and the Shanghai Wildlife Conservation Management Station have sponsored the annual competition to raise public awareness about nature conservation. The competition also serves as a platform for people who have passion for learning about and protecting nature.

The competition will include outdoor classes led by experienced instructors, field observation trips to create nature journals, and an awards ceremony.

The “best observation” and “best documentation” prizes will be awarded in three age categories: children, teenagers and adults. The instructor of the group that wins the most prizes will receive an excellent teacher award.

Works can be mailed to the consecration management station before October 31. Address: Rm 1860, 130 Zhizaoju Rd (Please write nature journal competition on the envelope); Digital works can be sent to shbaohuzhan@126.com

How to create a nature journal

The toolkit:

A hardcover sketchbook

Pencils, markers and oil paintbrushes

A ruler to measure the size of the plants and animals

A magnifying glass to observe detail

A camera to capture fast-moving creatures

A reference book to identify species

The three methods:

Observation: pay attention to the small details of plants and animals, including shape, color, behavior and surrounding environment.

Recording: write down the date, location, weather and a brief review of the trip.

Drawing: draw the subjects of observation and learn more about them and their relationship with other species.

Where to go:

A nature journal can be created by visiting parks and community gardens or even observing plants and insects on a home balcony.

Recommended reading:

“Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You” by Clare Walker Leslie