What we’re about
The SF Bay Area Nature Journal Club is a diverse community of artists and naturalists, of all levels, who meet together to connect to nature through art. Through free monthly field trips, hands on technique workshops, and community events we explore the Bay Area, developing our artistic and naturalist skills and deepening our love of nature. The club and its activities are a program of the Wild Wonder Foundation (wildwonder.org), co-founded by John Muir Laws in 2022.
We welcome the diverse communities of the region. The program is intergenerational and family friendly. Seniors and elders are encouraged to participate. This is a great program for families. Parents are encouraged to bring mature children who have demonstrated an interest in nature sketching. Please monitor and encourage your children so they feel supported to fully participate.
How to join
This program is free and no registration is required. Show up with your journal and supplies and get ready to explore and draw. You can get notifications about group outing and activities by joining the Wild Wonder mailing list and/or the meetup group. We also encourage you to join the Club's Facebook Group to share sketches, drawings, arrange carpools, and connect with the group community.
For more information about nature journaling and links to hundreds of free instructional videos, visit Wild Wonder's Nature Journaling Resources page.
Nature Journal Workshops
Join us for a live online 1.5 hour workshop on most Thursdays each week. These classes sometimes prepare you with drawing skills you can apply on the upcoming field trip. For instance, a field trip to Hawk Hill might be preceded by a workshop on drawing hawks in flight. Most of these workshops will be are recorded and posted to John Muir Laws YouTube channel.
Monthly Field Trips
Mark your calendars and join our field trip each month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (unless otherwise noted in the description). Trip activities include technique demonstrations, natural history interpretation, time in the outdoors, a potluck lunch, and plenty of time to draw and write. Most field trips will include easy to moderate walking. If field trips are wheelchair accessible or may require more strenuous hiking, they will be described as such in that month's program description. See the event schedule for details.
If rain is forecasted for the day of the field trip, the trip may be canceled or relocated to an indoor venue. Check the program description Sunday morning before leaving for updates and changes.
Art Shows and Exhibitions of Group Work
Bay Area Nature Journal Club members are invited to participate in periodic public shows of their work. These shows can help demonstrate individual improvement and the beauty and diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area. If you know a venue that would be appropriate to feature the work of our group, please contact me with details.
Expectations and what to bring
The Bay Area Nature Journal Club is a supportive community. Participants are expected to treat each other with respect and create a safe place for people to push their boundaries, draw, and write without criticism or fear. Please do what you can to engender this feeling in the group. I encourage all participants to share their tricks and techniques with each other. It is fun to teach and to learn from one another.
I encourage you to make journaling and participating in club events part your regular routine. If you have not drawn in a long time, it can be scary to start again. Once you do, you will discover that this new skill develops quickly. Throw yourself into it and be fearless. The most important thing is to get yourself to draw a lot. Club events and outings help but it is even better if you can get yourself to draw even more often Leave your inner critic behind and go for it. If you feel comfortable doing so, bring your latest sketches or poems to share with others. Please also share your artwork, techniques and ideas in the club's Facebook group. We can all learn a lot from seeing the work of other artists and naturalists. Most importantly, have fun with it--this is a joyous experience.
Nature journaling and exploration are great activities for children. Parents are encouraged to make journaling and participation in group activities a regular practice for your family. Please evaluate and monitor your children's interest and participation to help them get the most from the experience and to make sure that their participation enhances the group experience for everyone.
I have prepared a suggested equipment list. You do not need everything on this list. Keep your kit light and accessible. Also bring a spoon, bowl, and something delicious to share in the potluck lunch. We often stray from our vehicles so make sure you have everything packed and portable.
How can I help?
This program is free for everyone. It is supported by generous grants and donations from foundations, individuals, and families. To keep this program going, please consider donating to Wild Wonder Foundation to support the Bay Area Nature Journal Club. Also please help connect us with philanthropic individuals or organizations who can help sponsor this and the many other programs of the Wild Wonder Foundation.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- FREE Educator's Forum: Nature Journaling Workshop with John Muir LawsLink visible for attendees
Join John Muir Laws and/or other experienced nature journal educators for online Nature Journal Educator's Forum, where educators gather to discuss and share ideas, teaching strategies, challenges, and inspiration. Open to all!
HOW DO YOU JOIN? This event is generally held each week, but JML's calendar does vary, so please visit the calendar for the most up-to-date details and a link to join: https://johnmuirlaws.com/events/
Click on the DAY you want to attend and open that item and click the link there.These workshops are offered for free with a $20 suggested donation. No registration required, all ages and experience levels welcome.
- FREE Nature Journal Workshop with John Muir LawsLink visible for attendees
Join artist, author, educator, and scientist John Muir Laws for FREE weekly live nature journaling workshops with tips, techniques, inspiration, teaching strategies, and interviews. Topics are announced in advance of the workshop. Check the online calendar here for this week's topic: https://johnmuirlaws.com/events/category/jml/ https://johnmuirlaws.com/events/category/jml/ If special materials or class-specific downloads are available, you can find them in the class description on that calendar.
HOW DO YOU JOIN? JML's calendar does sometimes vary, so please visit the calendar for details and link to join: https://johnmuirlaws.com/events/category/jml/
Click on the DAY you want to attend and open that item and click the link there.All ages and experience levels are welcome. No registration is necessary, This live workshop can hold 500 people and is open to everyone on a first-come basis. ( If you are new to Zoom or are having trouble with the meeting controls, please see these notes and suggestions on Zoom Tips for Online Classes with John Muir Laws to help you get more out of the online workshop: https://johnmuirlaws.com/zoom/)
When possible I will also make a recording of the workshop and post it on my blog (full archive here: https://johnmuirlaws.com/blog-archives/). I look forward to seeing you there!
Suggested donation: $20. Your donation helps support me and my family. Your generosity is deeply appreciated and it makes an immediate difference in my ability to continue to offer these programs. Your donation is tax-deductible. Click here to donate. If you are not able to donate at this time, no problem–please continue to enjoy the classes and find another way to pay it forward in your community with acts of kindness and service. Thank you! Donations can be made here: https://johnmuirlaws.com/donate/
Bring your journal and favorite drawing materials. Taking notes while you watch and participate will help you remember the new techniques and incorporate them into your journaling. Don't forget to bring your sense of humor!
- November Regional Nature Journal Club Field Trip @ Gardens at Lake MerrittThe Gardens at Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA
Come for one garden, stay for the other fifteen!
The Gardens at Lake Merritt are an incredible oasis in the middle of an public urban park. It's a generous buffet of journaling yum!
Wander around the Bonsai Garden, Community/Edible Garden, Japanese Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Lakeside Palmetum, Rhododendron Garden, Sensory Garden, Succulent Garden, Vireya Display Garden, Pollinator Garden, and Bay Friendly Demonstration Garden. Water features calm and soothe, and views of the lake are a short walk away.
From the website: "a seven-acre collection of themed gardens, is conveniently located in the heart of Oakland at Lakeside Park, our nation’s first wildlife refuge." [https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/lakeside-park]
- Learn more about the location here: https://gardensatlakemerritt.org and here: https://www.lakemerritt.org/gardens.html
- Free; Suggested $20 donation for the Wild Wonder Foundation.
Field trip hosts:
- Kate Rutter, Regional Nature Journal Club Trip host
Weather note:
If for any reason excessive heat or rain is forecast for the day of the field trip, wear appropriate clothes/grab an umbrella and come anyway. There’s are some covered areas, and we can journal the in wet conditions! Do note that conditions may be windy, wet or cold, so dress in layers, bring a hat and plenty of water and sunscreen.Transit & Parking:
- Public Transit is readily available:
- AC Transit NL from San Francisco
- AC Transit buslines run throughout the area
- AC Transit trip planner: https://tp.actransit.org/#/
- Take BART to 19th Street + 15 min walk
- Street parking is sometimes available for free (5 min walk from closest street parking road)
- Paid parking is $5 along Bellevue Ave
How to find us:
Meet at the entrance to the gardens, in front of the Lakeside Garden Center at 666 Bellevue Ave. (If you come a little late, look for people sketching. :)
* Location Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/x7KvgQYXYEtuwNar8Bring:
- Seasonally appropriate clothing / dress for variable (including CHILLY or WINDY) weather.
- Sunscreen and hat.
- Waterbottle (water is available onsite.)
- Nature journaling supplies.
- Potluck Lunch: Bring potluck treats to share for lunch, and bring your own bowl and spoon.
- A sense of wonder and humor.
- Anything else to make the day lovely for you: folding stool, magnifying loupe, umbrella, depending. ;)
Flow of the day:
- We'll gather together for our opening circle at 10am and do short intros and a warm-up. Then we'll head out for journaling, either in small clusters, or solo, whichever you prefer.
- We'll re-gather together at 12:30 for lunch, to share work, and to socialize. Then we'll head back out for more journaling!
- We'll meet again at 3:30 for a final closing circle and connection time, then wrap.
Good to know:
- Open to all ages and ability levels. No registration is necessary. $20 suggested donation.
- Accessibility: paved and relatively flat and accessible pathways; benches and seating; Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains.
- Bathrooms: unsure if available. The public bathrooms may be closed. There are businesses nearby, about a 10-min walk away.
Bring friends and family!
- FREE Educator's Forum: Nature Journaling Workshop with John Muir LawsLink visible for attendees
Join John Muir Laws and/or other experienced nature journal educators for online Nature Journal Educator's Forum, where educators gather to discuss and share ideas, teaching strategies, challenges, and inspiration. Open to all!
HOW DO YOU JOIN? This event is generally held each week, but JML's calendar does vary, so please visit the calendar for the most up-to-date details and a link to join: https://johnmuirlaws.com/events/
Click on the DAY you want to attend and open that item and click the link there.These workshops are offered for free with a $20 suggested donation. No registration required, all ages and experience levels welcome.
