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Including Field Sessions at the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge in Fallon, NV - Celebrate Spring Bird Migration with Us!  Photo of John Muir Laws. Photo from Stillwater National Wildlfe Refuge by Diane Wong-Kone Click here to register today! Whether you are an artist, a scientist, a birdwatcher, or just someone who is interested in learning about our natural open spaces (and Nevada has a lot!) these workshops are for you! Four years ago, the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance introduced the practice of nature journaling with two well-known artists and science teachers, John Muir Laws (aka Jack) and Christine Elder. (Click here to see the videos.) Thanks to a grant from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, we are bringing Jack to Nevada! What better way to explore the natural world than to celebrate one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. Shorebirds are some of our longest-distance flyers and it is a wondrous sight to see them on the move. The vast landscapes of the Great Basin, with the varying shades of clouds and sky reflected in the still waters of the desert, make a dramatic backdrop for this spectacle. Join us as we introduce John Muir Laws to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge! You won’t want to miss this! The wetlands provide an important resource for food, water, and resting areas for birds as they journey through the western hemisphere. John Muir Laws is a principal leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement. He is a naturalist, artist, and educator who has dedicated his work to connecting people to nature through art and science. A co-founder and president of the Wild Wonder Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community, and an author of multiple books including The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada (2007), The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds (2012), How to Teach Nature Journaling (2020), and more. Jack is a revered artist, teacher and an inspiration to us all. In this special series of workshops, Jack invites us into the world of nature journaling, to learn about one of our important National Wildlife Refuges, to grow our curiosity, and to develop the practice of journaling as a way to enrich our own knowledge, skills, and life experiences. Even if you are not an artist, you can learn to draw and Jack will give you the tools to do this. He will share some of his favorite field techniques during our explorations. As he says, “Give it one year of drawing dangerously.” The more we explore, the more we practice, and the more we engage with others in our community, the more we will improve. And as our notes, sketches, and drawing skills improve, the more we notice our world and can be amazed at what there is to discover. “Spend time every day looking and listening without any ulterior motive whatsoever. Look not as a writer, or as a philosopher, not even as a scientist or artist—look and listen, simply, like a child, for enjoyment, because the world is interesting and beautiful. Let in nature without the vast and complicated apparatus of duty, ambition, habit, morals, profession—look and listen like a child to the robin in the tree. Of such sights and sounds are the kingdom of beauty, the sources of power and joy.” Join us as we introduce Jack to the wonders of spring bird migration on the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge in Fallon, NV. What will we see and discover? A world is waiting! A $5 discount is available for Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance members. Email us at [email protected] if you are a new member and have not received the discount code. If you are an educator, please join us for a special workshop on Sunday morning, April 19, in Reno, as Jack will share his prompts and techniques to help you bring nature journaling into your lessons and activities. Nature Journaling is a great way to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) principles into your teachings. Recommended materials to bring: Sketchbook and favorite portable drawing tools. For the field sessions, you might consider packing a portable chair or jacket to sit on, binoculars/spotting scope, water, sunscreen, hat, and sturdy walking shoes. The Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance (formerly Lahontan Audubon Society) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are a chapter of the National Audubon Society and based in Reno, Nevada. Our mission is to preserve and improve the remaining habitat of birds and other wildlife, restore historical habitat, and educate people, especially children, about birds in our unique Nevada environments. We thank the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for providing grant funds that enable us to offer this special interactive workshop with John Muir Laws. All proceeds from this workshop will be used to support the artist and our birding community. All ticket sales are final. There will be no refunds unless a class is canceled.   We are honored to share that the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance—formerly known as the Lahontan Audubon Society—has been awarded the 2025 100% Giving Board Award from the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada.
This recognition is more than a badge. It reflects the heart of our organization: a board that is deeply committed to protecting birds, expanding access to nature, and strengthening our region’s conservation community. What the Award Means The 100% Giving Board Award is given to nonprofit organizations whose board members demonstrate complete, unified participation in giving. This includes contributions of:
Having every board member participate underscores a shared belief: Our work matters. Our birds matter. Our community matters. Why This Matters for Conservation A fully engaged board sends a powerful message to donors, partners, and volunteers. It tells the region: “We believe in this mission enough to lead by example.” For conservation organizations like ours, funding translates into real impact:
A Community Effort While this award recognizes our board, the achievement is shared across the entire Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance family—members, volunteers, sponsors, and the countless bird enthusiasts who show up with binoculars, curiosity, and care. Every event attended, every checklist submitted, every new birder welcomed strengthens the roots of our organization. Looking Ahead This award energizes us as we continue:
Our board’s 100% commitment mirrors the dedication we see in our members and our community. Thank you for helping us protect and appreciate the birds that make our region so extraordinary. Join Us Outside Whether you’ve been birding for decades or just learned the name of your first sparrow, you’re always welcome at our walks, programs, and events. Together, we’ll continue nurturing a community that values wildlife, stewardship, and the joy of discovery.  Truckee Meadows Christmas Bird Count surveyors in 2024 - Photo by Sydney Walsh, National Audubon Society. The annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is fast approaching! Our chapter does not run the counts ourselves, they are run independently by site Compilers. However, each year the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance (Lahontan Audubon Society) promotes the upcoming counts happening in Northern Nevada and Tahoe region. For all count circles, please refer to the National Audubon Society CBC page: https://gis.audubon.org/christmasbirdcount/ and click on the count circle of interest to find more information and to sign up. Please also check with your local Audubon Chapter (for example, Plumas Audubon Society, Red Rock Audubon, Bristlecone Audubon Society, East Cascades Bird Alliance) for even more CBC information in our general region.
We respectfully ask that volunteers be mindful of their health and that of others. Please consider staying home if you are feeling under the weather on count day. The Counts: Dec 14 - Jan 5, 2025 Su Dec 14 Carson City South Tahoe Mo Dec 15 Winnemucca Tu Dec 16 Fallon Summer Lake (OR) We Dec 17 Hart Mountain (OR) Woodfords (CA) Eagle Lake (CA) Fr Dec 19 Sheldon Honey Lake (CA) Sa Dec 20 Truckee Meadows (Reno) Sierra Valley (CA) Su Dec 28 Minden Th Jan 1 Pyramid Lake Lauren Whitenack In May of 2025, a crew of 9 adventurers joined the Lahontan Audubon Society and Crescentia Expeditions for the birding trip of a lifetime to Panama! We saw a total of 247 bird species over 9 days and covered some of the most famous birding sites in Panama, including Pipeline Road, Old Gamboa and the Panama Canal, the Canopy Tower, and Darien National Park. Join us as we recall an amazing trip with photos and memories! The Pelican-- Birds of Paradise, A Memoir on Mental Health and the Power of Love and Birds10/25/2025 |
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