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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.  |
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