Intelleto

Plant Observation and Illustration ~ A Book Talk with John Muir Laws & Kate Rutter
2026-05-14 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online via Zoom, CA, United States
More info and link to attend
Join John Muir Laws in conversation with nature journaler and educator Kate Rutter to discuss her book Bay Area Botanical, published in December 2025. We’ll talk about how the book came to be, the joys and throes of self-publishing, and anything else the group wants to hear about. Watch out, you just might leave the session inspired to make your own little hyper-local book!
:: About the book ::
Bay Area Botanical is a full-color illustrated guide that introduces 26 plants native to the Bay Area of California. This little book is knapsack-friendly, all-age-accessible, and a lighthearted reference companion for wanders, rambles, and hikes.
All ages and experience levels are welcome. No registration is necessary.

Albany Bulb Nature Journal Club: May [in-person meetup]
2026-05-16 13:00 - 16:00 | Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA, 94706, United States
Come nature journal at the urban wilds of Albany Bulb! This bayside park has a wide variety of flora and fauna…native plants, birds in the estuary, trees, a small beach, views of the bay over to SF and Marin. Bring your own journaling supplies and spend the afternoon discovering the fascinating ecology of the Bulb while expanding, practicing, and sharing your nature journal skills!
• Free; $5-$20 suggested donation to Love the Bulb.
Sign up on Eventbrite.

Summer Nature Journaling Series @ The Foster Museum [onsite workshops]
2026-05-17 - 2026-06-14 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States
Celebrate the beauty and wonder of nature through journaling, a magical blend of art and science that deepens our connection with nature. In this seasonal workshop series led by Kate Rutter, you’ll learn simple and fun ways to observe deeply, to sketch and draw from nature, to note and quantify natural phenomena, and to creatively express your nature experiences in the pages of a journal.
Learn more & register
Each seasonal series has four sessions (three workshops and a field trip) spread over two days. Take all four sessions for a holistic introduction to Nature Journaling (and get a discounted price,) or pick and choose the sessions that best fit your interests.
Day 1:
– Intro to Nature Journaling (10:00am-12:30pm) $45
– Color in Your Nature Journal (1:00-3:30pm) $45
Day 2:
– Celebrating Place in Your Nature Journal (10:00am-12:30pm) $45
– Field Trip: Baylands Nature Journaling Experience (1:30-4:00pm) $20
* Full Series (all four sessions) advanced purchase only: $140

Intro to Nature Journaling [onsite workshop]
2026-05-17 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-23 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-11-15 10:00 - 12:30 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States
Meet at The Foster Museum for a close look at Tony Foster’s majestic plein-air artworks. Kate will introduce basic nature journaling methods with guided activities that use words, pictures, and numbers to ask questions, track data, and explore form through contour drawing, diagrammatic sketching, and value sketches. Then we’ll head outside, where you’ll apply these skills in a field setting. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. No prior experience necessary.
Workshop fee: $45
Register on The Foster Museum website

Supply List
You’re encouraged to bring any additional tools and materials that you like to use for sketching or field journaling: sketchbook, pencils, pens, measuring tools.
These materials will be provided: simple sketchbook, mechanical pencil, grey marker, and Zebra waterproof black ink brush pen. Additional specialized tools will be provided for your use during the session..
A full take-home kit of the specialized tools and a hardbound journal will be available for purchase onsite for $15 (cash or Venmo).

Color in Your Nature Journal [onsite workshop]
2026-05-17 13:00 - 15:30, 2026-08-23 13:00 - 15:30, 2026-11-15 13:00 - 15:30 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States
Starting at The Foster Museum, the class will explore effective ways to use color in a nature observation practice. After a brief hands-on intro to color theory and color mixing, you’ll use watercolors and/or colored pencils to use color in a variety of ways: basic color, matched color and swatches, symbolic color for diagrams and maps, and compositional color for layout and page organization.
Some basic watercolor and pencil techniques will be addressed, but the focus of this session is specific to using color in a field and nature journaling setting. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. Prior nature journaling or drawing/painting experience helpful, but not required.
Workshop fee: $45
Register on The Foster Museum website

Supply List
You’re encouraged to bring any additional tools and materials that you like to use for sketching or field journaling: sketchbook, pencils, pens, measuring tools.
These materials will be provided: set of colored pencils, sampler set of watercolors, waterbrush.
Participants please bring: a pencil (mechanical, #2 or HB pencil); a black pen with waterproof or water-resistant ink; a grey pencil or grey marker; a sketchbook suitable for working outdoors and with paper that can take some water media without bleeding through (some buckling is okay. 😉
If you wish, you can get a kit of nature journaling supplies, available for purchase onsite for $20 (cash or Venmo). Kit includes: small softbound sketchbook, hardbound sketchbook, mechanical pencil, black brush pen, grey marker, magnifying loupe, compact mirror, clear ruler, and carry satchel/apron.

Celebrating Place in Your Nature Journal [onsite workshop]
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-09-27 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-12-13 10:00 - 12:30 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States
Opening at The Foster Museum, the class will find inspiration in Tony Foster’s watercolor wilderness Journeys, identifying elements that communicate a place’s power. We’ll explore four different approaches to bring the richness of place into your journaling practice: Spaces (metadata & maps); Senses (sounds, smells, & other senses as appropriate); Scenes (lists & landscapes); and Souvenirs (elements & moments.)
The session takes place both indoors and outside. We wrap with a closing circle for sharing and discussion of next steps for your practice. No prior experience necessary.
Workshop fee: $45
Register on The Foster Museum website

Supply List
You’re encouraged to bring any additional tools and materials that you like to use for sketching or field journaling: sketchbook, pencils, pens, measuring tools.
Participants please bring: a pencil (mechanical, #2 or HB pencil); a black pen with waterproof or water-resistant ink; a grey pencil or grey marker; a sketchbook suitable for working outdoors and with paper that can take some water media; watercolors and brush or colored pencils.
A full take-home kit of nature journaling supplies (including color media) will be available for purchase onsite for $25 (cash or Venmo). Kit includes: small softbound sketchbook, hardbound sketchbook, mechanical pencil, black brush pen, grey marker, box of colored pencils, small watercolor set, waterbrush, magnifying loupe, compact mirror, clear ruler, carry satchel/apron.

Field Trip: Baylands Nature Journaling Experience [onsite field trip]
2026-06-14 13:30 - 16:00, 2026-09-27 13:30 - 16:00, 2026-12-13 13:30 - 16:00 | Palo Alto Baylands Nature Center, 2775 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA, United States
Nature Journal the wonders of the San Francisco Baylands! The field trip experience opens with a mini-workshop on a seasonal topic, followed by unstructured, open journaling time. Kate will be on hand to answer questions, to provide tips, and to share feedback if desired. We wrap with a sharing circle to learn from each other and to celebrate the discoveries of the day.
While some previous Nature Journaling experience is helpful, it’s not required. This is a great way to start or to continue your Nature Journal practice.
Field trip fee: $20
Note: This session meets at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. Directions to the location will be sent to all registered participants.
Register on The Foster Museum website

Supply List
Please bring all materials, any tools and materials that you like to use for sketching or field journaling: sketchbook, pencils, pens, observation and measuring tools, like magnifying loupe, binoculars, ruler.

Albany Bulb Nature Journal Club ~ August [in-person meetup]
2026-08-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA, 94706, United States
Come nature journal at the urban wilds of Albany Bulb! This bayside park has a wide variety of flora and fauna…native plants, birds in the estuary, trees, a small beach, views of the bay over to SF and Marin. Bring your own journaling supplies and spend the afternoon discovering the fascinating ecology of the Bulb while expanding, practicing, and sharing your nature journal skills!
• Free; $5-$20 suggested donation to Love the Bulb.
Stay tuned for sign-up or just show up!

Fall Nature Journaling Series @ The Foster Museum [onsite workshops]
2026-08-23 - 2026-09-27 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States

Bay Area Regional Nature Journal Club - Field Trip @ Albany Bulb
2026-09-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA, 94706, United States
The Bay Area Regional Nature Journal Club is heading to the Albany Bulb!
We’ll explore the transformation of this former debris landfill; journal birds, beaches, plants; see emergent artworks; and relish amazing Bay views.
Bring your own journaling supplies and spend the afternoon discovering the fascinating ecology of the Bulb while expanding, practicing, and sharing your nature journal skills.

Learn more about the Albany Bulb at Love the Bulb
Free; Suggested $20 donation for the Wild Wonder Foundation.

Field trip host: Kate Rutter, Regional Nature Journal Club Trip host
Weather note: If for any reason rain is forecast for the day of the field trip, grab an umbrella and come anyway. There’s not a lot of cover, but we can journal the wet conditions! Do note that conditions are often windy, so wear layers and a wind jacket.
Transit & Parking:

Public Transit is available, but it’s a bit of a walk. Take AC Transit #72 to the San Pablo+Marin Ave stop. From there, walk ~1.1 miles West. This path includes some tricky road crossings, but it’s possible.
Parking is available in two lots along Buchannan Street. Come a little early to be sure to get a closer spot. Parking is limited to 2-hrs, so you may need to move your car during the day.
Carpooling is highly recommended.

How to find us:
Meet at the restroom at the start of the Albany Waterfront Trail.
(If you come a little late, look for people sketching. 🙂
Location Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9GsK4V3e7sde7Ww2A
Bring:

Seasonally appropriate clothing / dress for variable (including COLD or WINDY) weather.
Sunscreen and hat.
Waterbottle (water is available onsite.)
Nature journaling supplies.
Potluck Lunch: Bring potluck treats to share for lunch, and bring your own bowl and spoon.
A sense of wonder and humor.
Anything else to make the day lovely for you: folding stool, magnifying loupe, umbrella, depending.

Flow of the day:

We’ll gather for our opening circle at **10am** and do short intros and a warm-up.
Then we’ll head out for journaling, either in small clusters, or solo, whichever you prefer.
We’ll gather together at 12:30 for lunch, to share work, and to socialize.
Then we’ll head back out for more journaling!
We’ll meet again at 3:30 for a final closing circle and connection time, then wrap.

Good to know:

Open to all ages and ability levels.
No registration is necessary. $20 suggested donation.
Accessibility: mostly flat and accessible pathways; benches and seating. Some paths are unofficial, so don’t venture beyond your comfort zone.
Bathrooms are available onsite.
Cell coverage is moderate so plan accordingly.

Bring friends and family!

Sierra Nevada Mindful Nature Journaling Retreat [live retreat]
2026-10-13 - 2026-10-18 | Big Springs Garden Retreat Center, Sierra City, CA, United States
Join us for a joyful, restorative, and rejuvenating retreat at the beautiful Big Springs Garden Retreat Center in Sierra City, CA. Through nature journaling, mindfulness exercises, and sensory awareness, we will wander, explore, and sketch the beauty of the Sierra Nevada in the fall season.
Register at Wild Wonder!

Albany Bulb Nature Journal Club ~ November [in-person meetup]
2026-11-14 13:00 - 16:00 | Albany Bulb, 1 Buchanan St, Albany, CA, 94706, United States

Winter Nature Journaling Series @ The Foster Museum [onsite workshops]
2026-11-15 - 2026-12-13 | The Foster Museum, 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto, CA, 94303, United States
