A naturalist is a student of the more-than-human world who is interested in closely observing and better-understanding the natural world around them. The capacity for accurate observation is built through the practice of particular ways of paying attention--a practice which also bears special relevance to the work of a writer. The skillset involved in the naturalist's practice of close observation can be useful for anyone who wants to practice writing more accurate and alive descriptions, particularly of the natural world. In this workshop, which will be held mostly outdoors at Shelby Bottoms, we will practice sitting, looking, listening, and seeing the connections amongst our surroundings, using lenses drawn from the toolkits of naturalists and forest bathing practitioners. We will also do some creative writing exercises designed to help us translate these up-close ways of observing into fresh modes of written description.
Held at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center.
Fee: $51 for Porch members; $60 for non-members.