Wild Nature Diary Review

Reviewed by Jane Warwick

The Wild Nature diary arrived in a cardboard envelope with the words “please handle with care” printed clearly in black which ensured that the item arrived in perfect condition. This diary is produced by the John Muir Trust. This is a membership-based conservation charity which is dedicated to protecting and improving the wild land of our country for both wildlife and people. This diary is a ring binder diary measuring 20cm x 20cm so you can look at the photographs and write notes on the dates without creasing any pages. It has the current year planner at the front then a preface, foreword and information on John Muir Trust which are then followed by stunning photographs (two page spread) of land taken by Alex Nail of Fisherfield Forest, Wester Ross; nature taken by Phil Johnson of Roe Deer; and people taken by John Beatty who wrote the preface, which is an unusual photograph. (Are you intrigued?). Next, you are at the beginning of the diary of dates and on each double page there is a photograph on one page, and like the calendar a map to show where the photograph was taken plus the name of the photographer and some interesting facts about the photograph. The paper is of very good quality and the photographs are glossy and of a high resolution, so they are a pleasure to constantly look at. I will not go into detail as to what photographs are present as you really need to buy the diary for yourself. All I will state is that there is a mixture of photographs of wild places and wildlife; the wildlife comprising of birds, fish, lichens, ferns, flowers, and mammals.

At the end of the diary is the next year’s year planner again a double page spread. Then there are two pages giving brief biographies of the photographers used in the diary and a contact detail for them so you can find out what other photographs the photographer produces or maybe contact them to get a print. Next is an explanation of what the John Muir Trust does and where they work which is also shown on a map together with the National Parks found in the UK. I had not realised before that there are 15 of these parks dotted throughout the UK. The last few pages provide details of the John Muir Award and further information such as what the trust does and the John Muir Challenges which are open to individuals and families can be gained from the website https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/resources/category/1-john-muir-award.
There is also a membership form if you wish to join the trust and a couple of pages to make notes which is always useful in a diary.

You can also get a calendar which has different photographs from the John Muir Trust called Wild Nature and is again of high quality and good value for money plus this money is going to a charity
If you are buying the diary as a gift, then the calendar goes perfectly with it.

Rating: 4.5/5

RRP: £16 ( + £3.50 pp)

This product can be purchased from Wild Nature UK here.