Learning on the Landscape

Catalina Island Conservancy fosters the creation and development of naturalists who engage thoughtfully with the world around them. These nature lovers support conservation alongside the Conservancy through their appreciation and stewardship of the land.

A key tenet of being a strong naturalist is continuing to grow in one’s understanding of nature. The Conservancy is meeting that opportunity with a new program launched in 2022. This special workshop series connects learning enthusiasts with experts to learn more about the land as well as observation and identification skills to deepen exploration. Each workshop provides an opportunity to take learning beyond books, exploring the Island landscape with an expert to guide participants in learning and practicing a skill.

Conservancy Community Learning Manager Hillary Holt describes a naturalist as “someone who takes time to observe and be curious about the natural world around them.” Though workshops have specific skills, themes and guest experts, the goal goes beyond teaching individual skills. “We are trying to pass on a sense of appreciation and wonder and facilitate people’s journey to use their time to connect with nature,” she added.

One of the Conservancy workshops brought nature journaling educator John Muir Laws to the Island. Participants received expert instruction, an art kit with relevant tools, and guided time on the landscape to practice their new skill in the wildlands.

Stops included Upper Cape Canyon, where Laws created a collaborative poem using metaphors describing the twisting oak grove. The afternoon was spent at Little Harbor learning how to create small quick landscape sketches and making sketches of a yellow-headed blackbird feasting on kelp flies.

Upcoming workshops include renowned Channel Island Botanist Steve Junak in April, birding expert Peter Laramie in May, and the return of John Muir Laws on May 28, with new and returning attendees welcome.

Find more information at CatalinaConservancy.org/education