2025 Nature Journaling Sessions
Location: In-Person and Online at my Studio
+ Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

You don’t need to be an artist to create or tend to a nature journal. However, you must be a lover of flowers and plants and excited to experience the beauty of the natural world! In this two day class, Stephey Baker, local creative and avid urban gardener for bumble bees, guides you step-by-step to creating a nature journal unique to you. Discover how to identify basic leaf shapes, flower structures, and creative tips that are easy to implement—all while honing your observational skills in a relaxed and inspired environment. Whether you live in the city, the country, or the suburbs, there’s always opportunities to connect to the natural world around you—it’s beauty, heritage, and significance to the web of life. When you make time to be still and take notice of the natural world, you simultaneously deepen your connection to the natural world within you. Come create something meaningful just for yourself or share nature’s beauty with someone special. All materials provided. Join me!

August 1 & 2 2025

Sign-up below to be informed when the next online and in-person Nature Journal class is open for enrollment. Limited seating available.

In-Person + Online
Online: August —October 2025

Have you ever noticed small half circles cut into your plants’ leaves? “Leaf cutter” bees do that. Despite their circular excavations, this native bee is small, docile, and solitary. Leaf cutter bees are one of the essential native pollinators in our gardens that contribute to the ecosystem. Virginia is home to over 400 species of bees, spread across six family groups. Your Elderberry’s pithy stems may even be home to some of them. Although we can’t cover all 400+ native bee species in this course, Stephey Baker, local artist and avid urban gardener, will introduce you to some spectacularly colorful buzzing beasties. Learn how to observe our native bees and use that knowledge creatively in a nature journal. To help you record your discoveries, step-by-step instructions will be provided. Foster an appreciation for our native bee species and inspire creative journaling!

You don’t have to be an artist, a writer, or a gardener to journal about the natural world. The ability to create art is not required to participate. Take part in the session that interests you most or participate in all of them to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of bees!

Session One: Explore bee anatomy by creating a 3D bee model and diagram in your journal

Session Two: Understand how to differentiate honey bees from native bees, bumble bees, and carpenter bees and explore the best resources for identifying bees

Session Three: Discover the life cycle and habitat requirements of native bees (some live underground, in fallen wood, and even in Elderberry bushes!)

Session Four: Learn how to safely observe native bees and record your observations in a nature journal + discover how to participate in free citizen science projects and make a difference in native bee conservation.

Small changes can make a big difference in ensuring these important pollinators continue to thrive!
August: Sold Out
September: Three Seats Left
October: TBA

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