The Grinnell Method 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 a scientific investigation. It is the method most often used by professional biologists and field naturalists.
My book on the method is available through lulu.com
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 Grinnell 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.
Also see: Phenology, Collecting Phenology Data, Observation Checklist, Good Outdoor Manners, Responsible Collecting and Citizen Science
Grinnell Scientific Nature Journal: For Scientists,Citizen Scientists, and Nature Journal Keepers by Donna L. Long.
Available in paperback and downloadable pdf on Lulu.com
Read more about the book Grinnell Scientific Nature Journal (PDF and Paperback)