How to Reclaim Your Attention & Sense of Place with John Muir Laws • John Muir Laws

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” 

—Mary Oliver   

Join me and the Aldo Leopold Foundation for an exciting discussion on how to start your own nature journal, phenology, and the neuroscience behind journaling—plus, live demonstrations! 

For or author and naturalist John Muir Laws, attention is love. When constant headlines, advertisements, and social media posts leave us in a digital daze, the simple practice of nature journaling can help us reclaim our attention and refocus on the incredible world around us. The first step in being a good steward of the land is simply paying attention to it. 

As Aldo himself could attest, observing the plants, animals, and landscapes that make up our natural communities not only delights and transforms the watcher, but also has the power to change our relationship with the earth for the better. The best part is anyone can do it anywhere—no artistic experience or natural knowledge required. And the rewards are bountiful, from improved observational skills and mental health to a more profound connection with the natural world. Will you pick up a pencil, reclaim your attention, and get back to loving the land?