THE INAUGURAL AUSTRALIAN NATURE JOURNALING CONFERENCE, 24 - 26 May 2024

The Inaugural Australian Nature Journaling Conference will bring together nature journaling individuals and communities from all states of Australia for the first time, at the beautiful Queensland Museum Kurilpa in central Brisbane.

Citizen scientists, nature journalers, educators and nature lovers are invited to join this inaugural event to foster interest in nature, build connections with local places and make a difference for the environment through deeper understanding and a love for nature. 

• Date: 24 -26 May2024
• Day/Times: Friday 8:00 - 17:00, Saturday 8:30 - 16:30
• Welcome Drinks: 18:00 - 19:30
• Venue: Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Corner of Grey Street and Melbourne Street, Brisbane. 
• Conference Dinner: Saturday 18:00 - 21:00, Queensland Museum Kurilpa
• Field Trips: Sunday 9:00 - 16:00pm, to Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Karawatha Forest, Brisbane Royal Botanic Gardens and the Southbank Precinct, including a picnic lunch at South Bank.
• Note: Julia Landford will also be offering an Educator's Nature Journaling Workshop on Thursday 23rd May (details here).

This promises to be a wonderful opportunity to get to know your fellow journalers, and build connections across your state - and from all over Australia - with people who share your love of nature.

Find out more about how nature journaling can make a difference in your life, what resources are available, share some wonderful nature journaling field trips in the Brisbane region and learn more about the principles and practice from practicing journalers. 

ANJA Conference Program - 24-26 May 2024

The ANJA Conference Program features: 

• Welcome to Country with Derek Oram, Yerongpan Aboriginal Corporation
• Two days of nature journaling presentations, discussion roundtables and networking with new and experienced nature journalers on Friday 24 May and Saturday 25 May
• Two afternoons with a range of nature journaling workshops on techniques, materials and subjects within the museum collection on Friday 24 May and Saturday 25 May 
• Full day of field trips to local botanical gardens, parklands and wetlands on Sunday 26 May
• Welcome drinks event with a display of nature journals, and live music on Friday 24 May
• Conference dinner with a Queensland Museum speaker from 6.00pm on Saturday 25 May
• Picnic lunch at Southbank on the final day of the conference Sunday 26 May

Accommodation 

There are a number of accommodation venues are available near the Queensland Museum:

• CLIX Ivy and Eve Apartments 
• Rydges Southbank Hotel (Rydges member discount available)
• Mantra South Brisbane, 161 Grey Street
• Ibis Styles Brisbane
• Pacific Hotel Brisbane
• Royal on the Park

About the Conference Organising Team: 

Julia Landford is the Founding President of the Australian Nature Journaling Association. She is also the Founder and Director of NatureArt Lab, a multi-award-winning arts and environmental education organisation in Australia. Julia has been teaching nature journaling in Australia since 2018, and is passionate about nature and environmental education through creative arts and photography practices. Julia focuses on an ecosystems approach to nature journaling, and has been invited to present for national forums with the Australian Association of Environmental Education (AAEE), various Landcare Associations, and for Wildlife Care Organisations. 

Dr. Fiona Boxall is the Vice-President of the Australian Nature Journaling Association. She is an experienced nature journaler and has produced many journals based on nature walks and tours, and has published a book on her experiences. Fiona is also a member of the NatureArt Lab teaching team in Canberra and teaches a range of nature sketching workshops. 

Dr Vicki Miller is a Committee Member of the Australian Nature Journaling Association. Vicki balances her role as a communications and engagement officer at the Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU, with her PdD research in paleoecology, specialising in reconstructing past environments through the analysis of microfossils in mud. Fascinated by the interplay between art, science and communication, Vicki, although new to nature journaling, is an advocate for its ability to connect individuals with the natural world and nurture a deep sense of environmental stewardship. 

Henrietta Mooney is a Committee Member of the Australian Nature Journaling Association, and is the Founder of the Hunter Valley (NSW) Nature Journaling Association. 

Joan McKay is a Committee Member of the Australian Nature Journaling Association. Joan is a wildlife carer and professional artist who specialises in scratchboard techniques. 

Eraine McArthur is a Committee Member of the Australian Nature Journaling Association.

ANJA Membership

The Australian Nature Journaling Association is based on membership to promote networks with an interest in nature journaling, environmental education and greater awareness of nature. Further details on the Association are available here. 

Membership details are available through our membership page, and we would encourage everyone to join the Association to receive member benefits including discounted conference tickets. 

 Sponsors

This conference is sponsored by The Queensland Museum, Brisbane and NatureArt Lab.