Discover Mary Gray Workshop Series: Nature Journaling

Join us for the "Discover Mary Gray" workshop series, an immersive experience designed to deepen your connection with nature through hands-on learning. Each workshop offers an engaging blend of expert-led education and interactive activities, ensuring participants leave with new skills, knowledge, and a class-appropriate item reflective of their experience to take home with them. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and Indiana Master Naturalist students seeking continuing education credits, these in-depth sessions (3+ hours) provide an enriching opportunity to explore the wonders of the natural world while gaining practical, real-world insights. Whether you're learning to identify native plants, honing a new skill, or exploring conservation techniques, every workshop promises discovery, community, and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Throughout 2025, we'll be offering special workshops to explore what makes the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary important for birds and other wildlife - you just might find what makes this place special to humans too!

Join us on September 27 from 10am to noon with Joni James, and nhance your birding and nature experiences through Nature Journaling! Your skills of observation and curiosity can be further developed to record your experiences with nature. In this workshop, we'll learn simple techniques you can use to begin nature journaling. No drawing experience is necessary. This is not about being an artist or sketching “pretty” pictures! You will learn how to document your experiences through writing and sketching. You will also learn what tools and resources can be helpful when journaling.

Please bring a favorite journal, a pen or pencil, and a shoulder bag for your journaling equipment. Binoculars are helpful but not required. Don’t forget your Curiosity, Awe and Wonder!

Joni has been a naturalist and birder since 6th grade. She is a nature journaler, nature photographer, and educator with over 45 years of study, experience, and teaching of nature and environmental education. She has been a certified Advanced Master Naturalist, and her connection to nature has shaped her life. She has nurtured her “sense of place” to bear witness to local wildness through education, nature photography, and journaling.

Meet in Brooks Hall. Expect an indoor component followed by an outdoor exploration with a variety of trail conditions, and some moderate terrain on each 2-3 hour adventure. Each participant will receive a class-related item to use during the workshop and bring home with them.

For questions or to learn more, email Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary at bWdicyB8IGluZGlhbmFhdWR1Ym9uICEgb3Jn.

Ticket prices are $20 for Indiana Audubon member adults, $30 for non-member adults, and $5 for youth ages 17 and under. Children 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or adult.

• Full refunds are provided for Indiana Audubon events, field trips, and public programs canceled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
• Events, field trips, and public programs $10 per person and under (excluding Eventbrite's processing fees) are non-refundable, as proceeds support our work.
• Refunds for events, field trips, and programs over $10 per person (excluding Eventbrite’s processing fees) require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Refunds for Indiana Master Naturalist programs at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary require 30-day advance notice, minus a 25% administrative fee.
• Separate cancellation policies apply to the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival and field trips, events, and public programs co-hosted by other organizations.

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