Explore how the anatomy (form) of plants is linked to their life strategies and where they grow, using the comprehensive collection of plants at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Increase your observation skills through simple drawing and writing exercises. Create a nature journal that records your responses, and provides a unique, personal guide to plant form and function.
Nature journaling is simply ‘drawing and writing in response to nature’. It’s a wonderful technique for learning, as it encourages close observation and strengthens comprehension and memory. The practice of nature journaling – especially while outdoors - can also benefit one’s mental, emotional and physical health. The practice is further rewarded by the creation of one’s own unique nature journal.
This workshop will allow participants to slow down, immerse themselves in a beautiful outdoor location and meet like-minded people. Also included is the opportunity to enjoy lunch with others (either purchase at the Botanic Gardens Cafe or BYO lunch) while continuing to work on your journal pages. Detailed class notes will provide a framework for interpreting plant form and function.
Location: Meet outside the Mount Coot-tha Visitor Information Centre, at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha. Please meet at 9.45 am for a 10 am start.
Date: Wednesday 15th May 2024
Format: 6 hour workshop including lunch break; 10 am – 4 pm (please meet at 9.45 am for a 10 am start).
Group size: maximum group size 15 people
Standard ticket: now $110 per person (reduced from $130)
Buy one ticket, get one half price: get 2 tickets for $82.50 each. Bring a friend, relative or partner for half price, and share the fun!
Audience: For ages 15 years and up. Interested kids 10 years and over welcome if accompanied by an adult.
Required mobility / fitness: The workshop includes walking (up to 3 km) on flat or slightly sloping paved surfaces and lawns within the Botanic Gardens. Some steps may be encountered.
Supplied: Class notes
What to bring:
● A blank unlined notebook, sketchbook or journal
● Greylead pencil or mechanical pencil (preferably 2B)
● Ink pen with waterproof ink (e.g. Pigma Micron fineliner size 03 or similar)
● Colour materials (e.g. coloured pencils or watercolour pencils or small palette of watercolour paints). Please also bring your own paintbrush or aquabrush if using watercolour pencils or watercolour paints)
● Morning tea, snacks and lunch; or purchase these from the Botanic Gardens Cafe.
● Dress to be outdoors (e.g. hat, closed shoes) and bring a water bottle, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a folding chair or a mat to sit on.
- Try to keep your gear light and portable, as we will be carrying it around during the day.
Your facilitator: Dr Paula Peeters has a PhD in Ecology and Evolution, and worked in forest research and wildlife conservation for 13 years. She now combines science, art and writing to celebrate Australian nature, and teaches nature journaling to help people to connect more closely to nature, and improve their understanding of the Australian biota. Paula has been teaching nature journaling for the last 7 years, and has published 3 books on nature journaling: Make a Date with Nature: An introduction to nature journaling (2016), Take this Book for a Walk: A step-by-step guide to nature journaling (2020) and A walk in the mountain forests: My nature journal of Binna Burra, Beechmont and beyond (2023). Website: www.paperbarkwriter.com
Contact: For more information contact Paula via email: paula.peeters@paperbarkwriter.com
This workshop is part of the Botany for beginners series:
Plant diversity & evolution: Nature journaling workshop. Sat 10 Feb or Wed 28 Feb 2024, 9am – 3pm, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Qld (the same workshop will be held twice).
Flowers and pollinators: Nature journaling workshop. Wed 17 April or Sat 20 April 2024, 9 am – 3pm, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Qld, (the same workshop will be held twice).
Plant form and function: Nature journaling workshop. Sat 11 May or Wed 15 May 2024, 10 am – 4pm, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Qld, (the same workshop will be held twice).
For a full list of events see: https://www.paperbarkwriter.com/events/
