Make a zany nature zine

What do crafts, advocacy and the outdoors have in common? Zines (pronounced zeens), short for fanzines, are a way to combine several interests into one! Is there a cause or area of interest you want to share with the world? Try publishing your own zine!

What is a zine?

Zines arose out of the science fiction boom in the early 20th century, but self-publishing has been around for centuries. During the 70’s and 80’s, zines became an important part of counterculture, allowing social movements to flourish through the autonomy the author has over their message.

Zines can be in any format. While zines traditionally are distributed physically, online databases can assist authors in digital publishing, like issuu.

How do I make a zine?

First, think about the topic you want to cover. For these zines, think of nature as the broader theme, and brainstorm some areas that fascinate you. A way to make your zine go the extra mile is by making them actionable, such as adding a link to sign a petition or asking the reader to call or write their legislators. Stuck on a zine topic? Try making a zine for water quality, habitat restoration, public land or your favorite local nature area. Maybe you could teach others about your favorite outdoor hobby or document a formative outdoor experience.

The next step is to do your research. Read up on reputable sources talking about your topic and check out the resources of your local library. If you get stumped during your research, consider asking an expert for an interview to gain more insight on the topic. Look for online examples of zines to brainstorm what format suits your method the best.

The best part about zines is the freedom! You can make your zine digitally by using a tool like Canva or Photoshop, or you can write and illustrate by hand. When creating your zine, consider what it takes to make it as accessible as possible for people with different abilities. Some people may need a larger font and sufficient color contrast to be able to consume your work.

Here is one of the most popular formats, the one-page zine! For this, all you need is a sheet of paper and a pair of scissors. See how to fold it through the video below. Depending on the scale of your zine operation, it may be helpful to have access to a printer or copier machine to easily duplicate your zines.