'How to teach nature journaling' - workshop

Nature journaling is the practice of drawing or writing in response to observations of nature. The practice slows you down, increases your mindfulness (or clears your mind), and increases your attention to detail and appreciation of beauty. It helps you to notice the details in nature, and improves your recognition of different species, and your understanding of where and how they live. With time, it also improves your ability to observe, to draw and to write. Spending quiet time in nature has many wellness benefits, and nature journaling is a practice that encourages this ‘quiet time’ and reflection. I've been teaching nature journaling for 10 years, with a particular focus on nature journaling to enhance/improve nature connection and wellbeing. This session will explore the main elements of my teaching approach (Feel-good nature journaling, including KNACK). Group discussion and the sharing of participant experiences and perspectives will be encouraged. This workshop is aimed at adults (16 years and over). Maximum class size: 20 What to bring: - Materials for taking notes - A blank unlined notebook, sketchbook or journal for journaling - A Grey lead pencil or mechanical pencil (preferably 2B) - Ink pen with waterproof ink (e.g. Pigma Micron fineliner size 03 or similar) - Colour materials (e.g. coloured pencils or watercolour pencils or small palette of watercolour paints) are optional, but fun. - This is an outdoor workshop, so dress to be outdoors (e.g. hat, closed shoes) and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a folding chair or a mat to sit on. Note that the temperature at Binna Burra can be 6-10 degrees colder than the Gold Coast or Brisbane, but the difference is not as great on hot summer days. - BYO drinks, snacks and lunch, or purchase from the Binna Burra Teahouse. This workshop will be cancelled if lots of rain, a heatwave, or other inclement weather is forecast. Participants will receive a full refund if the event is cancelled. We will meet at the Welcome Building, Binna Burra, which is the first building on your left after the Visitor Information Centre. If you've reached the Binna Burra Teahouse you've gone too far :) Bio of your host: Dr Paula Peeters is an ecologist, artist and writer based in Beechmont, Qld, who combines these skills to teach the practice of nature journaling, and regularly collaborates with a range of organizations to bring nature journaling workshops and lessons to a diverse audience. Paula has been teaching nature journaling since 2016, and has written 3 books on nature journaling: Make a Date with Nature – An Introduction to Nature journaling (2016); Take this Book for a Walk: A step-by-step guide to nature journaling (2020) and A walk in the mountain forests: My nature journal of Binna Burra, Beechmont and beyond (2023). She is also the illustrator of five colouring books about threatened species and ecosystems. Paula’s website and blog www.paperbarkwriter.com (established in 2015) is archived annually by the State Library of Queensland. Please contact Paula by email if you have any queries: [email protected]