Join us at the Adriana Hess Wetland Center for the Autumn Session of On Seeing Nature, a multidisciplinary class on art, birds, and ecosystems.

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Award winning landscape designer Anna Thurston brings a wealth of knowledge on the creation of sustainable landscapes that preserve and support populations of local and migratory birds. Her familiarity with native plants started as a toddler and inspired a life-long career in resource conservation and landscape design.

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As an enthusiastic member of Tahoma Audubon, Scott Saunders has been leading free Tuesday and Saturday bird walks at the Swan Creek and Steilacoom Parks for over four years. Using his 12 years of birding experience, he will lead the class in binocular use and in spotting and identifying birds.

 

Scott and Anna co-lead the outdoor element of the class, highlighting connections between bird and plant species and discussing various landscape and maintenance techniques that are evident at the Adrianna Hess wetland park.

 

This quarter's art session features nature artist Beverly Choltco-Devlin. Beverly has taught Nature sketching and journaling for many years, and her work has been exhibited in Washington state and New York. Having kept illustrated journals and sketchbooks her entire life, Beverly has studied art and biology, independently and in formal settings. She loves exploring formal scientific documentation and observation through art. Beverly has been a member of Tacoma Urban Sketchers for 9 years, and is also an avid birder, organic gardener, and gentle hiker.

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These field sessions are designed to enhance participant’s familiarity with birds, and with native plants that can be incorporated into residential landscapes. By drawing birds and plants, participants learn to distinguish and identify them while developing tools for deepening appreciation of nature and all the ways it fosters life around us.

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Details:

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This class runs from 10AM to 2PM with a 1 hour lunch break from 11:30AM to 12:30PM. Dress for the weather as this will be an indoor-outdoor class. In event of particularly severe weather, the class will be held on Sunday, November 5th.

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Basic art supplies will be provided, but artists are welcome to bring their own. Binoculars are available to borrow from the office for the duration of the class, but supplies are limited, so please bring your binoculars if you have them. Pack a sack lunch and bring a water bottle. Hot drinks and light snacks will be available before class starts and during lunch.

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