My nature journal from South Carolina
The Grinnell System has helped me become a better naturalist.
I’ve been keeping a naturalist’s journal for a long time. But a year or so ago, I felt my journal writing had stagnated and needed a boost. I went searching for a way to make my nature journal more thorough. What I found was this method.
The method is designed to aid scientific investigation. It is the method most often used by professional biologists and field naturalists.
The method was developed by Joseph Grinnell (1877-1939), a field naturalist, teacher and the first director of the University of California’s Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. He taught this method to his students and used a variation of the system himself.
The method consists of four parts:
- a field notebook – to directly record observations as they are happening.
- a field journal – of fully written entries on observations and the information
- species account – of detailed observations on chosen species
- catalog – a record of where & when specimens were collected.
It takes practice to use the system but it is well worth it. The format guidelines are pretty simple. I use a 3×5 card stuck in the back pocket of my moleskin field journal to remind me what to write.
My nature journal information has improved probably a hundredfold. My observations are more thorough since I follow the suggested observation list of what to include. The species account has tied together various entries from the span of a year.
The Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology has started a project to put all of its collected field notes, maps and photos online. This is a wonderful opportunity for naturalists all over the world, to read information and see the field notes of professional scientists.
Key title: The Naturalist’s Field Journal: A Manual of Instruction Based on a System Established by Joseph Grinnell
This is the only book that I have come across that discusses the method in-depth. I treasure my copy. I was able to get a copy from the original publisher, Buteo Books. The prices are very high for a paperback book. If you visit the Amazon.com page you can click on the request for the publisher/copyright holder to make the title available as an ebook.
Also see: Phenology, Collecting Phenology Data, Observation Checklist, Good Outdoor Manners, Responsible Collecting and Citizen Science
First, thanks for the great site!
It’s a pity that Herman’s book on the Grinnell method is so hard to find (Amazon has a copy for $741), because it is not only an excellent course on taking good field notes, but is also just fun to read. His admonishment against drinking and journaling is especially entertaining. I learned the method at UC Berkeley, where it is passed down as a kind of folk tradition; many of the people teaching it don’t even know about this book and could learn a thing or two from it. Let’s hope somebody reprints it soon.
Just found your site- its such an inspiring spot!
I will be looking out for this book for a friend of mine whose working through his master naturalist training
Best,
Amanda
Hi, Amanda
Thanks for the kind words.
I hope you find a copy of the book on the Grinnell System for your friend. Perhaps, the publishers (Buteo Books) will make it available on Amazon.com as a digital download.