Albany Bulb Nature Journal Club

Registration for our 2026 Spring/Summer Session is now OPEN!

Do you want to spend more time outdoors? Wish to slow down and take time to closely observe nature? Are you curious about the vibrant ecosystem of the Albany Bulb? Do you love being in awe of the shapes, smells, and textures of living organisms?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Albany Bulb Nature Journal Club is perfect for you! This unique program by Love the Bulb brings together nature enthusiasts who want to explore the diverse wildlife of the Bulb through the art of nature journaling.

Nature journaling is a creative way to connect with the natural world. Using words, sketches, and numbers, you'll collect and record your observations, questions, connections, and discoveries in a notebook. No artistic skills or scientific background required – just curiosity and an open mind! We provide guidance and community; you bring your attention and wonder.

**register here**

What to expect:

• Five monthly in-person sessions from March to July

• Optional virtual prep sessions with our instructor before each outing

• A supportive community of nature enthusiasts

• Hands-on practice in observation and documentation

• New insights into the plants, animals, and landscapes you thought you knew

Whether this is your first time with a nature journal or you're continuing your practice from previous sessions, you'll find something new to notice, question, and celebrate at the Bulb.

See photos of journal pages from participants of our 2025 spring/summer session here.

Instructor

The Spring/Summer 2025 Nature Journal Club was lead by Kate Rutter. Kate is an avid nature journaler, urban naturalist, educator, and native plant enthusiast who enlivens nature-human connection through sketching, observation, and curiosity. A lifelong sketcher with an experimental and rambunctious visual practice, Kate’s education work spans nature journal workshops at public & private gardens and nurseries, online teaching, and corporate and nonprofit trainings and conferences. Kate is a Certified California Naturalist, a board member of the Wild Wonder Foundation, has illustrated three books, and holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Wellesley College. Her new book, 'Bay Area Botanical' can be purchased here. When not teaching, she can be found nature journaling the tenacious plants who grow up between cracks in the pavement.
• Kate Rutter (she/her)  ::  intelleto.com  ::  @katerutter  ::  katerutter.bsky.social

Spring/Summer 2025 Program Details

• Must be 13 years old or older (and be accompanied by an adult if between the ages of 13-16)

• $50 registration fee*  (The fee will cover the cost of materials, including: a journal, writing, drawing and painting supplies, scissors, tape, magnifying glasses, field guides, and snacks.)

  * We would like to make this opportunity available to anyone. If the registration cost is prohibitive, please  inquire about scholarship funds at albanybulbinfo@gmail.com

• Sessions will be held on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 1-3pm (with the exception of March, which will be on the 1st Saturday)

• Participants are expected to attend all 5 sessions, and must attend at least 3 out of the 5 sessions (no exceptions). If you are unable to commit to the full series, please check back with us in the fall for another journaling opportunity. 

Spring/Summer 2026 schedule

March 7th - Introduction to Nature Journaling

April 11th - Plants & Trees

May 9th - Birds

June 13th - Aquatic Plants & Marine Invertebrates

July 11th - Maps & Scenes

OPTIONAL Virtual Sessions:

Thursday, April 8th - Drawing Plants & Trees

Thursday, May 6th -Journaling Birds

Thursday, June 10th - Sketching and painting aquatic life

Thursday, July 8th - Making maps & scenes