Thinking like a Naturalist: Reclaiming the Art of Natural History
Did you know that your powers of observation and curiosity are not static traits but skills that you can develop and enhance? How can you get more out of every nature ramble? Developments in neuropsychology have opened doors in our understanding of the brain and cognition and how you can train yourself to see more and to be more curious about what you discover.
Naturalist and illustrator John Muir Laws will demonstrate simple and fun techniques you can incorporate into your own recreational nature study, classroom, or family outings. You will learn an adaptable four-step approach that will dramatically increase your memory and observational skills, focus and heighten your curiosity, help you think more creatively, and give you a framework for exploring mysteries in nature. It is useful to have simple heuristics to focus your observation technique and scientific investigation process. The “scientific method” we all learned in school is a misinterpretation of scientific process and not what most scientists do. Reframe your approach to scientific methodology to inform your own fieldwork and investigation. A perfect experience for teachers, home school parents, and anyone interested in taking their nature study to the next level.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 8th 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Reception at 7:00 pm (wine/hors d'oeuvres); Talk begins at 7:30 pm with Q&A at the end
WHERE: Portola Valley Town Center Community Hall
SPONSOR: Portola Valley Cultural Arts Committee
FREE!
Speaker's Bio:
http://www.johnmuirlaws.com/biography
John Muir Law's Publications:
The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling An exhaustive resource or nature drawing techniques and observational strategies for field naturalists.
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds The complete guide to bird sketching and illustration, published with the National Audubon Society. Spring 2012
The Laws Pocket Guide Set to the San Francisco Bay Area Four waterproof and tearproof foldout guides that display the plant and animal species commonly found in bay area habitats. Winter 2009
The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada Comprehensive field guide to over 1,700 species of plants and animals found in the Sierra Nevada. The guide uses an innovative and field-tested key to allow armature naturalists to easily identify everything from lichen on rocks to the stars overhead. Spring 2007
A Field Guide to the Insects and Pathogens of California Oaks Illustrated USDA guide to oak ecology. Fall 2006.
Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide Fully illustrated field guide to over 200 species of birds that are found in the Sierra Nevada. The guide uses an innovative and field-tested key to allow beginner birders to easily identify birds that they have never seen before. Spring 2004
An Introduction to the Ecology of the San Francisco Estuary Illustrator and consultant Illustrated first and second editions of popular guide to the ecology of the San Francisco bay and delta. 1990, 2000.
Bay Nature Magazine, Naturalist’s Notebook Quarterly, full-page illustrated feature in quarterly natural history journal. Winter 2001-present.
Please note: The Town does not endorse any of the speakers, their businesses or the information provided in their presentations.
