Blending Art and Science: Nature Journaling

Learn how to keep a nature journal and enhance your connection to art, science, and your environment with us. This course explores ecology and evolution at different spatial scales and teaches you to approach art from a scientific perspective. You will develop sketching techniques using graphite and colored pencils and receive instruction from local artist Taylor Scamehorn and KBS scientists. This course will help you improve observational skills by identifying variables, developing hypotheses, and comparing constants with art and ecology.

You Gain skills in:

Thinking like an artist, naturalist, and scientist
Understanding biodiversity at various scales
Identifying patterns and interactions in nature
Learning art techniques using graphite and colored pencils
Making scientific and artistic observations about nature at different scales
Allowing curiosity and exploration to guide your work.

Course schedule

Week 1: Nature Journaling

Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “How to Think Like a Naturalist, Artist, and Scientist” We will learn about the intersection of art and science and gain tools for both.

Week 2: Species

Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. “We will discuss the ecology of organisms (i.e., moths, switchgrass, and ants), and participants will learn how to draw a specific organism.

Week 3: Communities

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. We will discuss plant-plant and plant-insect interactions in the context of prairie communities and visit a prairie with the art instructor.

Week 4: Landscapes & Ecosystems

Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. Overview of landscape ecology and ecosystem functions. The class will visit multiple habitats (e.g., agricultural land, prairies, wetlands, forest). In-Class Art Activity: Landscapes in pencil.

Course Fee:

$160 Bird Sanctuary member, $180 non-members

Register for Blending Art and Science 2025! Registration closes on July 30, 2025 Questions? Please call (269) 671-2510 or email birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu

About the course, from past participants

“I have never journaled or drawn, so this is exciting! I am going out today to start observing and drawing. Awesome class!”
“This class helped break the ice to try something I was intimidated to do.”
“I want to continue my exploration of this beautiful world, share with kiddos that I am close with to extend the love of nature and art to future generations”