Nature Journaling Meet-up, March 23rd (North Alabama)
2024-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL, 35811, United States
Scroll down to RSVP!
Join us in the beautiful surroundings of Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve at the pavilion, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the serenity of the great outdoors and put pencil to paper for some nature journaling.
Do I need to RSVP?
Yes! We have a limited amount of space at this pavilion and can only accommodate ~20 people per event. Please RSVP to save your spot.
What will we be doing?
This is not a class! You will be given handouts and encouraged to explore nearby trails and the forest edge to find specimens to journal, with the option of returning to a shaded pavilion to journal. Towards the end, we will have a small round-table discussion about what we observed – share your journal only if you want!
The general format is: Explore, Document, Discuss!
Who is this event for?
Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or experience level! The pavilion is just a short stroll from the parking lot, and our trails are mainly on a level, smooth terrain for easy walking.
This family-friendly event is designed to accommodate a blend of ages. We’re planning to collaborate with local institutions soon to offer age-specific events, but in the meantime, we welcome everyone. If you’re planning to bring a larger group of kids, we’d appreciate a quick heads-up to help us gear up. Just drop us a message on our website, and we’ll prepare to make your group’s experience memorable!
What do I need to bring?
This is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Brush!) kind of event. If you already have art supplies you’d prefer to use, bring those too! But, if you don’t have any supplies, don’t worry! Our event leader will provide materials for anyone who forgot them or needs them
We recommend bringing:

notebook
pen
pencil
colored pencils
bug spray
sunscreen
hat or sunglasses
bottled water

Where is the event?
Address: 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL 35811
It will begin at the pavilion, which is visible from the parking lot.
How much does it cost to attend?
This event is entirely FREE. So, invite your friends, bring your family, and let’s all share in a day of connection, creativity, and discovery!
Anything else I need to know?
Although we will be in the shade for most of the event, do what you can to stay cool. If conditions are decent, we may stop along the trail to work in our journals. We recommend bringing something to sit on, such as a jacket, blanket or portable chair. Restrooms are available at this location as well.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional information. We’re here to assist you!
We can’t wait to meet you, share in your company, and explore the beauty of the Alabama outdoors through the lens of nature journaling. Happy journaling, everyone!

Nature Journaling Meet-up (Central Alabama) – April 2nd, 2024
2024-04-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Birmingham Botanical Garden, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL, 35223, United States
Do I need to RSVP? Yes! Please RSVP to save a spot.

Event Leader: Amy Lewis Sides, a biologist and expert nature journaling educator based in Pelham, AL! Check out her website here.

When & where is the event? Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223 — we will meet at the fountain by the main entrance.
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 2ndth, 2023 from 12:00-2:00pm CST

How much does it cost to attend? This event is entirely FREE. So, invite your friends, bring your family, and let’s all share in a day of connection, creativity, and discovery!

What will we be doing?
Depending on the location, there may be different things to observe or visit. We encourage you to make observations and notes about what you see around you — and, to explore these three prompts while you are out: https://johnmuirlaws.com/deep-observation/.
This is a monthly social meet-up for anyone who is interested in nature journaling, especially in Central Alabama. These meet-ups are not instructional. However, Amy will be there to facilitate your time and answer your questions.
Nature journaling is the practice of using words, pictures, and numbers to describe the natural world around you. It is a tool for sharpening your observational skills and forming a deeper connection with nature. Most importantly, anyone can do it! No prior experience or skill is required.

Who is this event for?
This family-friendly event is designed to accommodate a blend of all ages and experience levels.
However, please give the organizers a heads-up if you plan on bringing a large group of children by emailing us at alabamanaturejournalclub@gmail.com. Parents and caretakers are responsible for their children during this event.

What do I need to bring? Please bring your own supplies, snacks and anything else you might need! Consider bringing a notebook, pens, pencils, and something to add color to your entries (i.e. colored pencils, watercolor, markers, etc.)
You may also want to consider bringing:

Bottled water
Snacks
Depending on the season: insect repellent, sunscreen, raincoat, a hat or sunglasses for comfort, portable chair

Anything else I need to know? Not at this moment! Please note that not all locations will have access to a restroom or other amenities. Should you have any queries or need further details, please feel free to reach out. We are more than happy to help!
We’re excited to see you, to grow our community, and to enjoy Alabama’s natural wonders through the art of nature journaling.
Happy journaling, everyone!

Virtual Journal Night – April 2nd, 2024
2024-04-02 19:00 - 21:00
On these casual, bi-weekly draw nights, we spend ~2 hours in the evening on a weekday working on our journals, planning new adventures, and connecting with each other. Just bring yourself, a pencil or pen, and some paper!
A Zoom link will be sent out to those in the Alabama Nature Journal Club Facebook group via email — so keep an eye out!
Join the club here: https://alabamanaturejournalclub.com/membership/

Virtual Journal Night – April 24th, 2024
2024-04-24 19:00 - 21:00

Nature Journaling Meet-up, April 27th (North Alabama)
2024-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL, 35811, United States

Nature Journaling Meet-up (Central Alabama) – May 7th, 2024
2024-05-07 12:00 - 14:00
Do I need to RSVP? Yes! Please RSVP to save a spot.

Event Leader: Amy Lewis Sides, a biologist and expert nature journaling educator based in Pelham, AL! Check out her website here.

When & where is the event?
Moss Rock Preserve – meet at the trailhead that is across the street from Moss Rock Tacos, 616 Preserve Pkwy, Hoover 35226.
Date & Time: Tuesday, May 7th, 2023 from 12:00-2:00pm CST

How much does it cost to attend? This event is entirely FREE. So, invite your friends, bring your family, and let’s all share in a day of connection, creativity, and discovery!

What will we be doing?
Depending on the location, there may be different things to observe or visit. We encourage you to make observations and notes about what you see around you — and, to explore these three prompts while you are out: https://johnmuirlaws.com/deep-observation/.
This is a monthly social meet-up for anyone who is interested in nature journaling, especially in Central Alabama. These meet-ups are not instructional. However, Amy will be there to facilitate your time and answer your questions.
Nature journaling is the practice of using words, pictures, and numbers to describe the natural world around you. It is a tool for sharpening your observational skills and forming a deeper connection with nature. Most importantly, anyone can do it! No prior experience or skill is required.

Who is this event for?
This family-friendly event is designed to accommodate a blend of all ages and experience levels.
However, please give the organizers a heads-up if you plan on bringing a large group of children by emailing us at alabamanaturejournalclub@gmail.com. Parents and caretakers are responsible for their children during this event.

What do I need to bring? Please bring your own supplies, snacks and anything else you might need! Consider bringing a notebook, pens, pencils, and something to add color to your entries (i.e. colored pencils, watercolor, markers, etc.)
You may also want to consider bringing:

Bottled water
Snacks
Depending on the season: insect repellent, sunscreen, raincoat, a hat or sunglasses for comfort, portable chair

Anything else I need to know? Not at this moment! Please note that not all locations will have access to a restroom or other amenities. Should you have any queries or need further details, please feel free to reach out. We are more than happy to help!
We’re excited to see you, to grow our community, and to enjoy Alabama’s natural wonders through the art of nature journaling.
Happy journaling, everyone!

Nature Journaling Meet-up, May 25th (North Alabama)
2024-05-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL, 35811, United States
