About this Event
In this workshop, we will explore the benefits and techniques of keeping a commonplace book, a note-taking format with a long history among naturalists, artists, and writers. The commonplace approach provides a way to record whatever comes up in daily life that inspires curiosity and invites reflection. We will especially focus on natural history-related observations, impressions, quotes, and research. Participants will learn about using this all-in-one format as a field and reference journal in a brief indoor lesson.
Following the lesson, we will head outdoors for a hands-on practice session. This outdoor component will give you the opportunity to implement your newfound skills, engaging directly with nature as you begin recording your own observations in real time.
For those who took the commonplace book workshop back in December, this follow-up session will provide an opportunity to check in regarding this all-in-one-format note-keeping practice.
If you didn’t attend the original workshop but are intrigued by the concept of using a commonplace book to capture and organize your natural history observations and reflections, you’re welcome to join us! We’ll provide a brief introduction to the practice so you can jump right in. Then, we’ll head outdoors to engage with the environment, honing our ability to notice and record what captures our attention. This workshop will offer a focused and organized approach to documenting your experiences and observations, helping you develop a meaningful connection with the world around you.
Don’t miss this chance to expand your practice or dive into something new — whether you’re revisiting your commonplace book or starting fresh, there’s plenty to explore!
More Information:
Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: Natural History Institute, 126 N. Marina Street, Prescott, AZ
Details: There will be a brief indoor introduction on the techniques and benefits of keeping a commonplace book before we go outside to engage in being open and receptive to what captures our attention. The outdoor component will be held at either Granite Creek Park or Acker Park in downtown Prescott. We will walk as a group or carpool from NHI.
What to Bring: A notebook, pen/pencil, shoes good for walking, and clothing appropriate for the weather, as we will be outdoors for the latter half of the session.
Cost: $20
- Nature Guardians and Champions receive a 10% discount off paid field programs
- Nature Champions can redeem their free pass for this program
- Become a Nature Guardian or Champion here!
All ticket sales are non-refundable.
Kristine Crandall has been dually immersed in nature and writing for most of her life. Growing up in Aspen, Colorado, she compulsively watched birds along the Roaring Fork River, and wrote about the river in one of her first poems, titled “Mountains in Slow Motion.” She holds graduate degrees in Natural Resources Economics and Creative Writing, and her professional career has cast a wide net, including working in environmental conservation, as a naturalist guide, a freelance writer, and a college writing instructor. Kristine moved from Southern Utah to the Verde River Basin two years ago, where she feels a joyful, close affinity with the Mogollon Highlands.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Natural History Institute, 126 North Marina Street, Prescott, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 20.00
