Learn to Nature Journal at a Free Workshop at McClellan Ranch

Maybe the phrase “become one with nature” sounds a little schmaltzy to you but you still enjoy the outdoors, plants and animal watching. A free workshop at McClellan Ranch Preserve on Wednesday will help nature lovers get started on journaling to better enjoy those experiences.

“This workshop will help set up a nature journal and kit,” said John Muir Laws. “This will help create a habit for journaling.”

The class will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 and will serve as the inaugural meeting of the Bay Area Nature Journal Club.

Laws is a renowned naturalist and artist with a list of books such as Laws Guide to Drawing Birds; Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada; and Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide. (Get an idea of Laws' plant drawing technique by watching the short YouTube video attached to this article.)

He will be holding similar workshops throughout the Bay Area (a calendar of events can be found on his website) and each workshop will focus on a different technique.

January’s workshop is How to Assemble the Perfect Nature Journal Kit and is intergenerational and family-friendly.

McClellan Ranch is located at 22221 McClellan Rd. No RSVP necessary, just show up.