With Michele Olsen, Book Artist

Keeping a field journal improves memory and increases our awareness and appreciation of the world around us. We usually observe things at a specific point in time. But it’s also important to observe life cycles, and this requires observations over greater periods of time. Learn how to document events “for the long haul” in your own yards, neighborhood, or park.

Thurs., March 23 • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Online

$30 • Class #: 23963

Register: https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli/course/field-journals-long-haul

 

 

Back To Camp: Lifelong Learning in the Redwoods. You can register at this link.

Gisela Rohde and I will be teaching two classes on August 2, 2022 at the Wolf Creek Educational Center in Humboldt County, California. The surrounding forests are close to the Prairie Creek State Park and we will take full advantage of our location to learn a lot about field journaling and how to help scientists monitor our changing environment.

1) Morning Session: FIELD JOURNALS: WITNESSING OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Join us as we use our field journals to improve our observational skills, foster curiosity, and record our experiences in the majesty of the redwood forest. For centuries scientists and explorers have considered their journals to be a valuable tool for discovery of and connection with their environment. The process is so valuable that schools from kindergarten through college are designing curriculum based on journaling as a way to learn science and natural history. We will also be looking at the ways we can use our work to become Citizen Scientists.

Topics: Tips for working outside, the importance of recording data, using maps and charts, using our five senses to write, techniques for developing intentional curiosity, prompts for improving observations, easy sketching techniques, and resources for further work.

Materials to bring:
Journal (at least 6” x 6”), pen, pencil. Optional: colored pencils, watercolors & brushes.

Resource Materials: http://micheleolsen.com/OLLI_Summer2022

2) Afternoon Session: A DEEP DIVE INTO FERNS

Bring your journals and become a Citizen Scientist with your participation in the Fern Watch project sponsored by the Save the Redwood League. Because ferns respond quickly to variations in rainfall they are good indicators of shifts in our climate. Monitoring ferns help scientists study changes in our redwood forest; we will collect and analyze data, document discoveries, develop questions for further research, and use sketches as a tool to learn. We will also discuss other ways you can become a community-based Citizen Scientist.

Materials to bring: walking shoes, measuring tape (metric preferable), journals (at least 6” x 6”), pen, pencil. (Optional) field lens, colored pencils, watercolor & brush.

Resource Materials: https://www.micheleolsen.com/olli_cs/

 

COVID isolation has been a challenge for all of us and I’m sure many of you have been outside more than usual. I’ve been outside so much I’ve been inspired to keep my observations in a journal. On a whim I signed up for a 5 day, 10 hr/day workshop this Fall with the Wild Wonder Natural Journaling Conference. Courses were taught by scientists, artists, poets, and nature advocates. I loved what I learned so much that I want to share some of the ideas with you.

“Nature journaling is a fun way to engage with our environment, sharpen observational skills, learn more about natural history, reduce stress, and give us a stronger sense of place. It encompasses art, the environment, natural history, and writing AND you don’t have to be an expert in these areas to create pages that record your experiences and enhance your connection to the natural world. We will develop a minimalist travel kit, learn simple techniques for developing pages, and explore the world of people who journal. Basic materials, techniques, and ideas will be covered.”

I will be teaching a course through HSU’s Osher Life Long Learning on the basics of nature journaling. It will be on Zoom Tuesday, February 9, from 10am – 12 noon. To view the course and register use this link:

https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli/course/introduction-nature-journaling

I hope you can join us!