Summer Skills of a Naturalist: Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws

Join award-winning artist, author, educator and scientist, John Muir Laws, for a hands-on workshop where he will share his best tips and tricks for nature journaling learned through his 40 years of teaching and illustrating. This workshop is appropriate for all levels, and adults and children ages 10+ (accompanied by an adult) are welcome to attend. Journal pages courtesy of John Muir Laws.

Nature journaling is a creative, powerful practice in which you use words, pictures, and numbers to collect and record your observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook. You do not need to be an artist or a naturalist to begin. These skills can be learned by anyone, and you can develop them with deliberate practice. A nature journal is a lens that focuses your attention, enriches your experiences, and develops your skills as a naturalist. This practice also enhances your observations, curiosity, gratitude, reverence, memory, and joy. It helps you discover, think, and remember. Nature journaling is creative, rigorous, and playful, easy to begin and learn, and your practice will grow and mature over a lifetime. Nature journaling has numerous benefits, including enhanced observational skills, improved mental and emotional well-being, and a deeper connection to the natural world. It can also boost cognitive functions like critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, nature journaling can reduce stress and anxiety, and foster a sense of awe and wonder.

We will start with a delicious lunch in our beautiful organic garden and then hit the trails for some gentle movement (we move at a botanist's pace), natural inspiration and to study the forest with the skills of a lifelong naturalist. There will time for your questions, wonderings, and identifications! After your hour-long immersive trail exploration, John Muir Laws will deliver a two-hour hands-on instructional class to develop your skills as a mindful observer in nature journaling. You'll leave with new knowledge, inspiration and tools to enrich your nature study.

If you've joined us in the past for trees & shrubs, tracking, and our lichens & mosses class, you can dig a little deeper with more time in the field and practice your skills.

Didn't attend the other Skills of a Naturalist sessions this past year? No worries, - know you're welcome to explore with us, and remember that anyone is a naturalist if they are a student of the natural world. This is a great overall skill-building session for newbies too. Bring your sense of wonder, questions, and knowledge to share with others. We'll see you there!

ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP LEADER:

John Muir Laws, aka Jack is the President, Co-founder, and Creative Director of the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. Jack is a principal leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement who has dedicated four decades of his life to connecting people to nature through art and science. From an early age, his parents instilled in him a deep love and respect for nature. Over the years, that love has grown to a commitment to stewardship, nature conservation, and a passion to share the delight of exploring nature with others. As a writer, scientist, and artist, Jack has developed numerous interdisciplinary educational programs and resources that train students to observe with rigor and to refine techniques to become intentionally curious. He is the author and illustrator of several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling and more, all available in the John Muir Laws’ store. Books will also be available for purchase that day and there will be opportunity for book signing as well!

THINGS TO KNOW

• This class is rain or shine, so please dress comfortably and always bring a rain layer, and sun hat at this time of year. Sunscreen and other sun protection is highly encouraged! If we cancel due to weather, which is extremely rare, we will send a message in email and by phone as well (wildfire smoke, windstorm, etc.). As such, please make sure you register for this program with an email account you check regularly.

• We will have foam sit pads available, but sitting in the woods is always an adventure. If you need accommodations for trailside sitting please reach out so we can aid you in comfortable forest sitting and journaling. Up to 45 minutes of sitting may be required as well as getting to and from the nature journal destination. You're welcome to bring a camp chair of your own as well, if you'd prefer that.

• Art supplies to borrow will be supplied by IslandWood but you are also welcome to bring your own materials. Journals will be available to purchase for an additional fee if you do not plan on bringing your own.

• Due to the content and pace of this program, we are listing the suggested age of participation as 10 years and up. The content and language will be scientific and artisitic. If you have an older child or youth that would like to enrich their naturalist journaling knowledge, they are welcome to attend with you. The ticket price is the same.

• Please remember our campus policy is 'no dogs unless they are a service animal.'

Info: Welcome, friend! Arrive anytime between 12-12:20 PM before lunch to get settled and aquainted with the space, make new connections and chat with our friendly staff. We're glad you're here.

Info: Our kitchen is famous for a reason - your ticket price includes a delicious housemade lunch, featuring a medley of seasonal and fresh ingredients, supporting a healthy body and mind. Many ingredients are grown on site as well, from our own organic garden.

Info: IslandWood's Sr. Naturalist, Christina Woolf, is a Washington State Master Naturalist with over 25 years of experience in leading outdoor guided programs. Greet the wild - or get reacquainted with the forests and ecosystems of the Puget Sound lowlands, as you prepare your mind and body for your nature journaling instruction. You will learn the five most common trees and shrubs here in our temperate rainforest, and will be encouraged to discover the forest with all your senses as part of our midsummer exploration.

Info: You will receive expert instruction from the founders of the Wild Wonder Foundation in this hands-on creative program. Jack is the President, Co-founder, and Creative Director of the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. Jack is a principal leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement who has dedicated four decades of his life to connecting people to nature through art and science. We will provide the materials needed for your nature journaling class, or you may bring your own favorite journal.

Also check out other Arts events in Bainbridge Island, Workshops in Bainbridge Island, Literary Art events in Bainbridge Island.