Join us for a skills review and intro class, as we hike around our 250-acre wood and sit to journal in the great outdoors! We will start with a lunch and move into a short nature journaling chat before hitting the trails to sit and journal. 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!
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. Please note that we will end the add-on journal sales a week prior (on August 12th) in order to order them on time. Please place your order with us before August 12th if you wish to purchase one from us.
- Due to the content and pace of this program, we are listing the suggested age of participation as 13 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. Infants (under one year) worn in a baby backpack, sling, or baby-wearing device by the caregiver are also welcome with you, there is no ticket needed for an infant.
- Please remember our campus policy is ‘no dogs unless they are a service animal.’
This class will be led by naturalist and educator, Shoopie Panholzer. Shoopie has been teaching outdoors since 2017, and recently completed her Masters in Education, with a focus on environmental education. She has taught all ages from 3 to 93. Her expertise is in California Oakwoodlands, however she has enjoyed getting to know the Pacific Northwest through her nature journal and incredible mentors. Here she is exploring the snowy landscape in the southern Sierras where she journaled about a flock of ducks enjoying the quiet early spring lake shores.
