{"id":1419,"date":"2024-08-15T15:17:14","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T15:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/collettehowie.com\/?p=1419"},"modified":"2024-08-15T20:39:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T20:39:33","slug":"urban-nature-journaling-in-glasgow-embracing-nature-in-the-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collettehowie.com\/?p=1419","title":{"rendered":"Urban Nature Journaling in Glasgow: Embracing Nature in the City"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"drawn<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Those of you who follow me know that I have a shared studio space in the East End of Glasgow.  The East End has a special place in my heart.  My mum and her family were born and raised there.  Her parents had a stall at the famous Barras market for many years. My gran\u2019s last home was just a five minute walk from where I have my space.  When I was thinking about  urban nature journaling it seemed the natural place to begin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nature journaling has been around for hundreds of years.  The Victorians enjoyed it especially and produced beautiful illustrations of their observations. I must admit that the quality of their illustrations and some modern day nature journaling intimidated me.  I made the fatal mistake of comparing myself to others.  Thankfully I realised that this was going to be my own, unique  journey into that experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urban nature journaling came about when I moved to the housing scheme I live in and because my studio is based in a city.  I witnessed nature bursting through concrete, growing on brick walls and spreading over abandoned waste ground where busy shops once existed.  My videos seek to share that with the viewer and marvel in the simple beauty and resilience demonstrated by nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making nature journaling accessible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I quickly realised that I wanted to make this an accessible activity. My interest in ensuring I approach journaling this way stems from my work as a support worker. I work two days a week with people with learning disabilities. As a result, I have learnt that not everyone experiences the natural world in the same way. This is something I often take for granted. I want to emphasise how we really do not need to venture very far in order to appreciate the natural world around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You do not need to be an artist.   Expensive art materials are not necessary. You do not need to ramble over hills or get knee deep in Machair.  Nature journaling is possible everywhere.  All you need is an appreciation of the natural world around us, a child like curiosity to learn more and a desire to record what you see in your own unique way.  There is no right or wrong way to do this.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some local knowledge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

My ‘Urban Nature Journaling’<\/a> episode  on YouTube<\/a> explores the car park at our studio building and one of the busy nearby roads called Abercromby Street.  I then take a walk along past the Calton Burial Grounds<\/a> where there is a memorial to The Calton Weavers. In 1787 local weavers went on strike because of the undercutting of their wages as a result of cheaper imported textiles.  Military troops were brought in.  Six of the workers who were striking were shot dead.  This became the earliest major industrial dispute in Scottish history. The weavers became Scotland\u2019s first working – class martyrs. It\u2019s infuriating to think that the fundamental aims of capitalism to extract the most profit are still very much part of our modern day society.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I then continue to Glasgow Green which is a city park gifted to the people of Glasgow by a Bishop in 1452.   The Green was used as a drying green for linens and clothes by the locals.  There is still a section of the green commemorating this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"clothes
“Drying Green<\/a>” by Reading Tom<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Exploring these surroundings made me think of this poem I found on a plaque in Moss Wood on the Isle of Bute;  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018 Go outside <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let your breath <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be stolen away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the forests, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek the seas,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the mountains, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mist covered<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are nurtured<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By nature, born <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the wild places;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve no business<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cities, in buildings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taller than trees<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go outside, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And begin living<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tyler Knott Greeson<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"drawing<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In my latest videos<\/a> I have been finding simple ways to connect with nature within the city.  I have found swathes of wildflower patches grown especially for the pollinators.  The Clyde Walkway at the Green runs along the River Clyde. Walking here I saw a heron, a cormorant take flight and heard a bullfinch nest.  I filmed these and some interesting trees. My curiosity  led me to consult a book about trees and I learnt some fascinating facts as a result. For example, the seeds and skins from the attractive Rowan tree berries are not digestible for birds who eat them. This means when they poop they help spread the seeds through their remains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different strokes for different folks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I was able to sketch some of my discoveries but I also find that even the process of videoing what I see or what I have sketched also serves to be a form of journaling.  (I plan to say more about this in future writing).   It creates a tangible record, along with my sketches of my discoveries.  Each video conveys the weather, footage of each find, my thoughts on these finds and my process of finding out more about what I have discovered.  My videos on YouTube<\/a> and sketches in my natural journal book create a robust record of these memories and experiences for me.  My aim is to create a space where I was able to have a more permanent record of this learning experience.  I also wish to be able to share it with others who have similar interests and encourage anyone to take up similar activities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope that by reading this post and watching my videos<\/a> you enjoy seeing my processes and listening to my excited ramblings about what I am discovering.\u00a0 You can read my first post about this adventure here.<\/a> Please share your thoughts about nature journaling in the comments section below. Also feel free to visit my YouTube <\/a>channel to watch my days out journaling and join in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collette x<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Those of you who follow me know that I have a shared studio space in the East End of Glasgow.  The East End has a special place in my heart.  My mum and her family were born and raised there.  Her parents had a stall at the famous Barras market for many years. My gran\u2019s<\/p>\n

Continue Reading “Urban Nature Journaling in Glasgow: Embracing Nature in the City”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[444,443,442,440,441],"class_list":["post-1419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature-journaling","tag-disability","tag-inclusive","tag-journaling","tag-nature","tag-nature-journaling"],"yoast_head":"\nUrban Nature Journaling in Glasgow: Embracing Nature in the City - Collette Howie<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/collettehowie.com\/?p=1419\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Urban Nature Journaling in Glasgow: Embracing Nature in the City - Collette Howie\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Those of you who follow me know that I have a shared studio space in the East End of Glasgow.  The East End has a special place in my heart.  My mum and her family were born and raised there.  Her parents had a stall at the famous Barras market for many years. 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