‘Get curious about it’: HCT offers nature journaling program at Cold Brook Preserve

Put down your phone, pick up your notebook and try out the intriguing practice of nature journaling!

Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) is offering a special “Intro to Nature Journaling” program on July 11th at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve to help you launch a rewarding journal journey. It’s a fun and artful way to channel your curiosity about the natural world and hone your observational skills.

The program will be led by noted Harwich artist and teacher Bernadette Waystack, an artist in residence at the 204 Cultural Municipal Arts Building in Harwich, where she maintains a working studio space.

Inspired by the Cold Brook Preserve

Waystack said the recent rewilding effort at the Preserve piqued her interest in nature journaling.

“Cold Brook just became this place where I would go and sit on a certain bench, overlooking a pond,” she said. “And it’s like this little oasis in the middle of Harwich Port.”

Inspired by the Cold Brook transformation, which added a half-mile All Persons Trail and restored 44 acres of wetland and a mile of stream habitat, Waystack took training courses with the Wild Wonder Foundation, a leading proponent of nature journaling that is dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community.

According to Waystack, there are three key prompts that help beginning nature journalists get going: “I notice”, “I wonder”, and “it reminds me of.” These phrases fire up the imagination and get the notebook cooking.

‘Slow down and pay attention’

“It’s a great way to make you slow down and pay attention,” said Waystack. “You can use words, pictures and numbers in your notebook. All three are the language of nature journaling. You can use whichever of the three — or all of the three — that you’re comfortable with. But you don’t have to be a trained artist or a professional writer or a mathematician to do it.”

With nature journaling, there are no wrong answers. “It’s just about taking a closer look at what’s around you,” said Waystack. “And putting it down in some way. Observe things, get curious about it, write down questions, draw a little something.”

Waystack suggests that participants in the Intro to Nature Journaling class bring along a blank notebook or journal (about 5″x8″), or just a few sheets of printer paper folded in half and stapled. Pens, pencils, colored pencils — whatever you prefer — will come in handy. A reusable water bottle and a light snack might be a good idea, too.

For those who don’t have a notebook or writing implements, a starter kit will be available for $5.

Then, get ready to pilot your own nature journal adventure at HCT’s Cold Brook Preserve, where wonder, beauty and surprises are around every corner. “It creates connections and curiosity, and everything takes off from there,” said Waystack.

What: Intro to Nature Journaling, a Harwich Conservation Trust program led by Bernadette Waystack.

When: July 11th, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Where: Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve, 203 Bank Street, Harwich Port

Cost: $10 (a nature journal starter kit is available for an additional $5)

What to bring: notebook, pen, pencil or colored pencils, water, light snack.

How to register: click here or go to harwichconservationtrust.org/events

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