5 Fun Facts to Chirp About: Featuring John Muir Laws

With a background in science and curiosity, empathy, and appreciation, John Muir Laws has explored, illustrated, and written about nature over a forty-year career, and he’s not stopping anytime soon.  Spending so much time outdoors, it’s no surprise John wears many hats—literally. From bucket hats to hard hats to straw hats, he’s also a naturalist and artist who’s dedicated his work to connecting people to nature through both art and science. His mantra for inspiration is “I notice, I wonder, and it reminds me of,” and this allows him to be intentional, get curious, and actively look for the mystery on display before him. Below are five fun facts about John Muir Laws to inspire and inform.

1. Often a misconception, John Muir Laws is not related to John Muir, however, his parents named him after the conservationist to reflect a shared passion for nature and environmentalism.
2. Notably recognized for founding the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nature journaling organization dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. Through this platform, Laws provides resources for nature journaling educators and hosts free, weekly online workshops on techniques and best practices for educating different audiences.
3. Laws has been honored and recognized with numerous prestigious awards celebrating his work in conservation and environmental awareness. In 2010, he served as a Conservation Leadership Fellow with the National Audubon Society.
4. In 2025, Laws vacationed at Hog Island and observed, illustrated, and journaled details about the Puffins he saw on the island. Hog Island is in Maine and known for Audubon's Project Puffin camps and conservation work.  
5. Coining the phrase “pencil miles”, Laws is a believer that everyone can draw, it’s a skill learned with time and practice. He’s quoted saying “Drawing is not a gift-it is a skill. You can learn to draw. You just have to put in the pencil miles.” - John Muir Laws.

John Muir Laws will join author Amy Tan on stage March 21 at Rowe Sanctuary’s new event, Braided In Unison. Laws and Tan’s conversation will explore nature journaling and how it can connect us to birds, nature, and the wider world.  Guests can join the event in person or by livestream; registration is live. 

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