Nature Journaling at Birmingham Museum of Art

At the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA), a creative and scalable outdoor program is helping visitors rediscover the centuries-old connection between art and science. Presented at the recent Green Museums Summit, Elyse Villa, Manager of Tour Programs at BMA, shared how the museum’s Nature Journaling programme not only supports environmental education but also enhances visitors’ connections to both the natural world and the museum’s collection.

Art, Science and the Power of Observation

For centuries, art and science have informed and enriched one another. This symbiotic relationship is perhaps most evident in botanical illustration, where close looking and careful documentation have advanced both artistic practice and scientific understanding. Yet, as Villa highlighted, this connection is sometimes overlooked within art museums, where programming has traditionally focused on art history, aesthetics, and artistic technique.

The BMA’s drop-in nature journaling programme seeks to bridge this gap. Through hands-on activities held in the museum’s sculpture garden, visitors of all ages are encouraged to slow down, observe their surroundings, and create their own nature journals. This process not only fosters creativity, but also supports environmental literacy and a sense of belonging in outdoor spaces—a key objective for many museums seeking to strengthen their sustainability and community engagement efforts.

Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Programming

Developing outdoor programming within an art museum setting came with its challenges. Villa noted that visitor expectations played a key role—many participants initially expected an art class focused on developing technical drawing skills, rather than an exploration of nature and observation. There were also practical considerations around staff training, safety, and ensuring facilitators felt comfortable working outside, often in unpredictable conditions.

To address these barriers, the BMA took a flexible and low-pressure approach. By framing the programme as a casual drop-in activity, the museum reduced the pressure on visitors to produce “perfect” drawings and instead encouraged process over product. Staff training also focused on building confidence outdoors, from understanding basic botanical illustration techniques to embracing urban nature—demonstrating that valuable outdoor experiences don’t require vast green spaces, but can happen in small gardens, schoolyards, or even on city streets.

Birmingham Museum of Art benefits from a sculpture garden

A Scalable Model for All Museums

One of the strengths of the BMA’s approach is its scalability. Villa emphasised that nature journaling doesn’t require elaborate resources—a simple combination of paper, pencils and a clipboard is enough to get started. While the BMA benefits from its on-site sculpture garden, museums without outdoor space can adapt the programme by bringing natural objects indoors or encouraging visitors to explore nearby parks and green spaces.

The programme is also highly adaptable for different audiences. Whether working with families, school groups, or adult learners, facilitators can tailor the depth of historical context and botanical knowledge to suit participants’ needs. For schools, the programme aligns well with cross-curricular goals, combining art, science and environmental education. For general visitors, it offers an accessible entry point into creative practice and environmental awareness.

Benefits Beyond the Museum

The benefits of nature journaling extend far beyond the museum visit itself. Research cited by Villa shows that regular engagement with nature journaling increases environmental knowledge, promotes pro-nature behaviours, and can even support mental health and wellbeing. By encouraging visitors to take their journals home and continue observing and documenting nature in their own environments, the BMA fosters ongoing connections between art, nature and personal reflection.

During the session, Villa also shared examples of the simple journal templates used at BMA, demonstrating that museums can easily create their own versions using just basic materials like paper, pencils, and clipboards. This low-cost, accessible format makes the programme replicable for institutions of all sizes and budgets.

Conclusion

Elyse Villa’s presentation at the Green Museums Summit underscored the power of collaboration between disciplines. By embracing the intersection of art and science, museums can offer visitors richer, more meaningful experiences while also advancing their own commitments to sustainability and lifelong learning. For museums seeking simple, scalable ways to engage visitors with environmental themes, nature journaling may be the perfect place to start.