Field Journals

A field journal is a notebook that explorers carry on their trips. They write about what they see, hear, and find. Many explorers also draw pictures of plants, animals, and landscapes. Field journals are an important way to record discoveries so they are never forgotten.

What Goes in a Field Journal

Explorers write the date, time, and weather in their journals. They describe the plants and animals they find. Many draw detailed pictures or paste in pressed flowers. Scientists write down measurements and observations. Every detail could be important for understanding a new place.

Famous Field Journals

Charles Darwin kept detailed journals during his voyage on the Beagle. His notes helped him develop his theory of evolution. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark wrote journals throughout their trip across America. Their writings are still studied today. Many famous discoveries started as simple notes in a journal.

Fun Facts

• Charles Darwin's journals from the Beagle voyage are still kept in a library in England.
• Lewis and Clark's journals are about 1 million words long.
• Some field journals from the 1800s have pressed flowers that are still colorful today.

Did You Know?

Alexander von Humboldt, a famous explorer, filled more than 4,000 pages of journals during his travels through South America.