Sunday, October 12, 2025
9:00am – 1:00pm

$35 per person
Ages 12 and up welcome
Meet at the Dwight Center

Do you want to experience nature with fresh eyes? Would you like to develop a practice to notice, understand, and remember more of the vibrant world around you? During this fun field exploration, instructor Marley Peifer will teach you the tools used by the greatest naturalists of all time. Using pencils, ink, and watercolors we will create sketches and take notes of our encounters with the fascinating biodiversity of Pepperwood. Following in the footsteps of Audubon, Humboldt, and Darwin we will reunite art and science in a creative synthesis that is fun, functional, and aesthetically engaging. 

You will be equipped with essential techniques and a toolkit of new practices to explore, and find inspiration when sharing your work with fellow journalers. By the end of this nature journaling journey you will have sharper eyes, improved nature awareness, and unique journal pages documenting your experience. You will also possess the tools and mindset necessary to pursue a lifelong learning adventure.

Plan to bring a sketchbook, notebook, or loose paper on a clipboard will also work. Also bring a pencil and/or pen. Additional supplies like colored pencils or watercolors are welcome but not required. 

The workshop will end with time to share our work, as well as to enjoy your lunch in conversation. You are invited to bring your own picnic lunch.  

We highly recommend watching some of Marley’s fun and instructional videos on YouTube before you join us in the field. These videos will give you some background to help you dig into the practice of nature journaling during our time on the land! If you only watch one, the first video, How to Nature Journal in Ten Steps is the best place to start.

Instructor Bio:

Marley Peifer is a nature journaler and an educator with over 10 years teaching. He has embarked on nature journal expeditions on 3 continents, and built a library of more than 500 free educational videos online. Nature Journaling became a fundamental practice for Marley when he discovered how it could synthesize his interests and accelerate his learning. As an educator, Marley is constantly sharing, inspiring, and provoking learning in nature and on paper. His holistic approach combines whole-brain activities with a healthy dose of cross-cutting concepts and transferable skills.

 

Ease of Access/hike level: This event includes a hike of up to 2 miles of easy to moderate hiking level. This includes traveling over varied terrain with some steep inclines, including uneven surfaces. Bathrooms and water are available at the event meeting location.

Weather & Cancellations: This event will go on in light rain. However, it could be canceled in the case of heavy storms, unhealthy air quality or other unforeseen circumstances. In the case of cancellation, registrants will be notified via email.

Though we love dogs, pets are not allowed on the reserve. When visiting Pepperwood, please leave pets at home for their wellbeing and that of our wildlife. Thank you.

Please, no smoking at Pepperwood.

Refund Policy: A full refund can be given for cancellation requests made 8 days or more before the start of this event. Refunds will not be given for cancellations within 7 days of this event. Exceptions can be made for illness/medical reasons; please do not attend the event if you are sick. A minimum number of participants is required to run each event. In the case of this event being canceled by Pepperwood due to extreme weather conditions or other circumstances, refunds will be offered. 

Back To All Events

 

---

Register for this class using the secure form below.

To register, click the +Add button on the right side of the General level below. On mobile devices, you may need to scroll all the way to the right to find the +Add button. In the pop up window, enter your attendee information and scroll to the bottom to click “Continue”. Repeat this for other attendees. Next, on the main form, you may add an additional donation amount in the open field, then click the green “Continue” button to move to the final page for payment. Click the green “Process” button on this final page to complete your transaction.

For questions about registration for this event, please contact Holland Gistelli, Education Program Manager, at hgistelli@pepperwoodpreserve.org or (707) 591-9310 x 124.

Registration opens for Friends of Pepperwood Donors on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Registration opens for the public on Monday, August 25, 2025.