NEWS RELEASE
LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY
*************************
Simcoe County is showing its beautiful fall colours and the birds and other wildlife are out in force. Lakehead University’s Ontario Master Naturalist Program is offering something new that might be just what you need to unwind and connect more closely with nature in your own backyard.
Join Ontario Master Naturalist Program coordinator Bob Bowles and nature artist Teresa Patcheson on Monday, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 for a new workshop on nature journaling. You’ll learn how to record your observations of the natural world in various ways, whether you’re passionate about trees, plants, or birds.
Even those with limited artistic experience can learn how to make their records more complex, detailed, and interesting using a variety of artistic techniques from paints or pencil crayons to quick sketches while out in the field.
“The secret to nature journaling is not to be a perfect artist or to memorize everything about a species, but to learn to slow down and observe the natural world around you,” said Bowles.
“Nature journaling not only helps to improve your observation skills and attention to detail, but it can improve your species identification skills and your engagement with these details in relation to a bigger picture.”
This two-part virtual workshop will take place on two Mondays, starting with session one on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. After learning the basics of nature journaling, including how to begin journaling, the importance of journaling while in the field, and some tips and tricks to get the most out of your experience, participants will head out into the field on their own to give it a try.
Then, on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., participants will meet to ask questions and share their journals and experiences with the rest of the group.
To find out more about the workshop, visit www.lakeheadu.ca/masternaturalist
*************************
