Participate in the Los Angeles Public Library's first-ever nature journaling contest as part of LA Nature Quest! Throughout October, participants are invited to submit pages from their nature journals that highlight the wildlife and ecosystems of Los Angeles. Winners will receive prizes, and their work will be included in a zine.
What is Nature Journaling?
Nature journaling is the practice of using drawing, writing, data collection, and other methods to record your observations of the natural world around you. You might track a plant’s life cycle as it sprouts, grows, flowers, and goes to seed. You might write down all the bird calls you hear in an afternoon, or identify every butterfly that visits your yard. Nature is bursting with fascinating phenomena. Nature journaling is a creative way to ask questions and learn more about your local ecosystems.
How to Participate
If you already keep a nature journal and are ready to submit your work to the contest, see the submission guidelines below. If you want to learn how to get started, check out these upcoming workshops:
Find More Events
Can I Look at Some Examples?
Wild Wonder Foundation
The Wild Wonder Foundation has compiled samples of nature journaling pages.
Want to Start a Nature Journal? Here’s How!
You can also check out our nature journaling book list at the bottom of the article.
About the Contest
Welcome to the Library's first nature journaling contest. Your nature journal can contain drawings, paintings, diagrams, scientific observations, poems--your imagination is the limit!
To enter the contest, submit a photo or scan of one page or a two-page spread from your nature journal. Many library locations have a scanner you can use for free.
Selected winners will be published in the zine, which will be added to the Library's collection and made available in digital form online. Each winner will receive a personal copy. Three winners will receive additional prizes.
Submissions will be accepted from 12 a.m. PDT October 1 to 11:59 p.m. PDT October 31st, 2026.
Contest Rules & Submission Guidelines
- Entries should focus on the nature and wildlife found in Los Angeles. Participants are especially encouraged to journal about the species highlighted in LA Nature Quest 2026.
- Limit one entry per contestant. Entries are limited to one page or a two-page spread from your journal. Once the entry has been submitted, no changes will be allowed.
- All entries must be created by the person submitting. Entries that are plagiarized or created with AI will be immediately disqualified.
- The definition of nature journaling is broad, but submissions should clearly be from some kind of journal (rather than standalone portraits or paintings). Your journal pages don't have to be bound in a notebook.
- Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
Submit Your Nature Journal
Submissions will be accepted from 12 a.m. PDT October 1 to 11:59 p.m. PDT October 31st, 2026.