alabamanaturejournalclub

Virtual Journal Night – September 12th
2023-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | AL
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 – August 30th
2023-08-30 19:00 - 21:00 | AL

Indoor Nature Journaling at the 5 Rivers Delta Center - August 26th (Coastal Alabama)
2023-08-26 09:00 - 12:00 | 5 Rivers Delta Center, 30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL, 36527, United States
What to Expect:
Event Leader: Val Webb (https://valwebb.wordpress.com/)
Join us in the beautiful Apalachee Exhibit Hall at 5 Rivers Delta Center for a cool and comfy morning sketching their wonderful natural history collection. Gators, bobcats, bears and dozens of others critters native to the Alabama Gulf Coast are represented here. There is plenty to keep you busy indoors all morning, but you are also welcome to wander and journal on the waterfront beside the Hall, or along the wooded trails beyond the parking area. Nature journalers of all ages and skill levels are welcome! This event is FREE.
This is an informal morning of sketching together, not a class. Please bring any drawing/journaling supplies you like. You may also bring a snack or drink.
As a bonus, the 2023 Outdoor Alabama Photography exhibition is on display in the Hall through Sept. 1. Prepare to be inspired!
5 Rivers Delta Center is located at 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL. The entrance is on the Causeway, across from Meaher State Park.

Nature Journaling Meet-up, August 26th (North Alabama)
2023-08-26 09:00 - 11:30 | Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL, 35811, United States
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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.
NEW Event Format for North AL Meet-ups (Please read!!!):
We’re excited to announce a shift in our event structure to better accommodate the needs of our North Alabama attendees!
The first 1.5 hours of our gathering, known as the ’12+ hour’, are specifically designed for those 12 and above. Following this is the “Family Hour,” when we strongly encourage families with children under 12 to join us. This last hour is filled with activities more suited to our younger participants, and is when our event leader will be able to give them direct attention.
Please note that this format only applies to North Alabama social meet-ups and no other type of club event.

Do I need to RSVP? Yes! Please RSVP to save your spot.
Where is the event?
Address: Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve, 1263 Hwy 72 E, Huntsville, AL 35811
It will begin at the pavilion, which is visible from the parking lot.
What will we be doing?
When attendees arrive, they 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 of the “12+ hour” and the “Family Hour” 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?
This family-friendly event is designed to accommodate a blend of ages and experience levels. We’re planning to collaborate with local institutions soon to offer events specifically tailored to younger children, but we believe “Family Hour” will be a wonderful opportunity for them to still engage with nature journaling.
The pavilion is just a short stroll from the parking lot, and the trails are mainly on a level, smooth terrain for easy walking.
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

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. 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!

Virtual Journal Night – August 17th
2023-08-17 19:00 - 21:00 | AL
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!

Mushroom Nature Journaling (In-Person) - July 29th (NORTH Alabama)
2023-07-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Sportsman Lake Park, 1544 Sportsman Lake Rd NW, Cullman, 35055, United States
Come join us for this exciting collaboration between Alabama Nature Journal Club and the Alabama Mushroom Society at the beautiful Sportsman’s Lake Park!
We will go on a short foray to collect and learn about fungi in Alabama with AMS president Alisha Millican. Then we will take our collected mushrooms back to the pavilion where we will journal our finds, lead by ANJC president Laramie Akozbek.
When arriving at Sportsman’s Lake Park, park in the parking area by the concession stand and look for Alisha and her bright red hair and mushroom décor with the back of her SUV up. We will walk to the area we are hiking and journaling.
Wear footwear appropriate for hiking, but this will be a leisurely and easy hike. Wearing tick repellant is HIGHLY recommended. Bring your own water and dress for the weather. Bring your art supplies and journaling materials of choice and we will also have some art supplies to share if you are totally new to this! Come and check it out!

Virtual Journal Night – July 27th
2023-07-27 19:00 - 21:00 | AL

Virtual Journal Night – July 5th
2023-07-05 19:00 - 21:00 | AL

Summer Social: Nature Journaling Meet-Up, June 24th (NORTH Alabama)
2023-06-24 10:00 - 13:00 | 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?
Our social events begin with group introductions and a quick 5-min demonstration, and then we jump right into journaling. We will embark on some of the nearby trails and explore the forest edge to find specimens to journal, with the option of returning to the pavilion to complete our work. The general format is: Explore, Document, Discuss, then Rinse & Repeat.
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.
We are in the process of scheduling summer events for Central and South Alabama, so if you are in those regions, hang tight! We’ll have some events set up for you soon.
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!

A Morning of Nature Journaling - June 24th (COASTAL Alabama)
2023-06-24 08:30 - 11:00 | Meaher State Park, 5200 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, Alabama, 36527, United States
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Description:
Nature journalers of all ages and skill levels are invited to our very first meetup for the coastal region of the state on Saturday, June 24. We’ll spend a morning drawing in beautiful Meaher State Park, located just off the Causeway at the north end of Mobile Bay — home to ospreys, alligators, and nesting black-crowned night herons!
If you’re new to nature journaling (or just want to pick up some sketching tips) join us at 8:30 a.m. for an instructional warmup session with Val Webb. At 9:00 a.m., park naturalist Chloe Drexel will fill us in on the plants and animals living at Meaher, and suggest things to look for along the trails, at the water’s edge or in the wetlands surrounding the Gateway to the Delta boardwalk. Then you’ll be free to wander and journal until 11:00 a.m., when we’ll gather again to share what we journaled (if you want) and also to briefly discuss ideas for future nature journaling locations.
Where to meet:
The park entrance is on the Causeway (Hwy. 90) between Mobile and Spanish Fort. Our meetup is free, but Meaher State Park charges $3 per person over 12 years old upon entry (veterans are free). Follow the park road to Pavilion #2. There are a few roadside parking spaces across from the pavilion, and more parking at the boat launch just beyond the campground.
What to bring:
Bring your own notebook/journal/colored pencils/writing utensils. Bring water. Sunscreen and a brimmed hat are also good to have; something to sit on (even a folded towel) is helpful.
What if I don’t know how to draw?
That’s fine! You don’t have to be an artist to create a nature journal. Nature Journaling isn’t about creating a masterpiece. It’s about sitting down with nature, looking closely, and deepening your curiosity about the natural world.

Virtual Journal Night – June 22nd
2023-06-22 19:00 - 21:00 | AL

Virtual Journal Night – June 7th
2023-06-07 19:00 - 21:00 | AL

Introduction to Nature Journaling (In Person) - May 27th
2023-05-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Monte Sano Nature Preserve, 2442 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville, AL, 35801, United States
We are thrilled to announce our first in-person event, and we’d love for you to be a part of it! Join us in the beautiful surroundings of Monte Sano Nature Preserve at the Bankhead Pavilion, where we’ll immerse ourselves in the serenity of the great outdoors and put pencil to paper for some nature journaling.

Our event will kick off at 10 am CST with introductions and a brief lesson on nature journaling for those who are new to the practice or want a refresher. From 11 am to 1 pm, we’ll venture out into the preserve to explore and draw what we see.

If you’re already familiar with nature journaling and just want to hang out and draw, feel free to join us at 11.
While you’re welcome to bring your own journals and supplies, all you really need is a pencil or pen and paper. And if you don’t have those, don’t fret! Our event leader will provide supplies for anyone who needs them.

This event is open to all age ranges and skill levels. We believe that nature journaling is a wonderful practice for everyone, regardless of experience, so don’t hesitate to bring your family and friends along!

Parking is available at 2442 Bankhead Pkwy NE, Huntsville, AL 35801.

If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to use. We’re here to assist you!

This is a FREE event and no RSVP is required at this time, although we will implement that in future events! 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. Let’s all enjoy a day of connection, creativity, and discovery together!

Happy journaling, everyone!

Virtual Journal Night - May 18th
2023-05-18 19:00 - 21:30 | AL
On these casual, bi-weekly draw nights, we spend ~2.5 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 "Draw" Night - May 2nd
2023-05-02 18:30 - 21:30 | AL
This is the first of our bi-weekly draw nights, where we spend ~3 hours in the evening on a weekday filling out our journals, planning new adventures, and connecting with each other. A Zoom link will be sent out to Alabama Nature Journal Club members via email — so join our list and keep an eye out!
