iNaturalist Global GeoARTBlitz 2026

I happened to be on a road trip (Jul 23-28) several days during the iNaturalist Global GeoARTBlitz, July 18-26.  Also made time for nature observation (photos and drawing) starting on the 18th.  I'm still working on documenting my road trip that overlapped with the iNat Blitz.  

Here's a couple of pages... I had such a wonderful time out in nature looking for plants and birds I have never seen, or see rarely.  So enriching... Will create a flip-thru of our trip/iNat ARTBlitz soon...

(8/4 More images pending...)

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Mark Your Calendars...  these upcoming workshops are fee-based.

• Arlington Garden in Pasadena, Fundraiser Sept 20. Adults. Outdoor workshop focusing on expanding nature journaling approaches.
• McCambridge Park, Bubank Parks & Rec, Oct 3. KIDS (ages 10-14). "Nature Observation Through Art and Science."
• McGroarty Art Center (La Crescenta), Oct 17. Adults. Workshop content in development.

Returning to free meetups staring in Oct: Arlington Garden in Pasadena, Stone Barn Nature Center-Deukmejian Wilderness Park (Glendale), and Stough Canyon Nature Center (Burbank).

Additional details pending... in August.

Sunday, September 20, 2026	🎟️ Workshop: Fundraiser for Arlington Garden 💲	Arlington Garden FUNDRAISER. Nature Journaling Workshop More details pending. MUST RSVP via Arlington Garden's Eventbrite page.	9:30-11:30am	adult
Thursday, October 01, 2026	Meetup 1st Thu (🍯 Arlington donations appreciated, not required)	Arlington Garden Rain typically cancels. Link to GO/NO-GO Notice.	9:30-11:30am	adult
Saturday, October 3, 2026	Kids Workshop- register with McCambridge Park	McCambridge Park - Nature Observation Through Art and Science. Kids 10-14 years.	10am-Noon	ages 10-14
Tuesday, October 06, 2026	🆓 Meetup 2nd Tue	Stone Barn Nature Center Inclement weather, *may* meet inside. Link to GO/NO-GO Notice.	9:30-11:30am	adult
Wednesday, October 14, 2026	🆓 Meetup 3rd Wed	Stough Canyon Nature Center Inclement weather, meet inside.	9:30-11:30am	adult
Saturday, October 17, 2026	Workshop	McGroarty Art Center (Details pending)	10am-Noon	adult

Stough Canyon Nature Center's Nature Camp

2026 Jun 16

What FUN! Two 1 hr sessions with ~15 kids each at Stough Canyon Nature Center's Nature Camp. We brough nature in... did leaf tracing, leaf crayon rub, compared a lizard and snake, and compared a diabolical beetle and a June bug.

We started with a presentation that showed kid journal pages, introduced the concepts of nature journaling prompts to get started. I was pleased that about 40% of the kids knew what nature journaling was! And several kids were really into it... writing and drawing and measuring (we had rulers). Words, pictures, numbers.... AND used INIWIRMO! I did not get good photos of their pages... it was a lot to do in 1 hr, but I think the loose structure and pace was really fun for Summer Camp.

Special thanks to all the staff at Stough Canyon that made this event happen, especially Sam! (He created the workbooks).

2026 Fall Event Survey - Giveaway

It's a Giveaway... Please complete the 2026 Fall event and feedback survey by June 15 to enter a drawing to win a set of blank notecards. 

Lots of fun things are in planning stages for the club for Fall. I could use your input, opinions and feedback.

Deadline to complete the survey is June 15. Winner announced June 18.

Here's some notecard examples. Original art by Terri. 

June "End of Season" Free Meetups.

June is the final month for this "season's" Nature Journaling free Meetups. Plans for Fall meetups, fieldtrips and workshops are being considered and in planning stages. 

For everyone that attended meetups, I sincerely thank you for sharing your observations with me... for taking time from busy schedules to step out into nature and look closely. You sharing with me is the reason I arrange and facilitate free meetups--it warms my heart to see your journal pages--what your heart, hands and mind see and create! Sincerely, THANK YOU! 😍

Also a BIG Thank You to the locations and staff that host the free meetups. Without their support, these meetups would not be possible:

• Arlington Garden in Pasadena. 💗 Maryam Hosseinzadeh, Development and Programs Director.
• Stough Canyon Nature Center, Burbank Parks and Recreation. 💗 Christina Lara, Recreation Coordinator, Burbank Parks and Recreation.
• Stone Barn Nature Center, Deukmejian Wilderness Park. 💗 Jacquelyn Waldman, Community Services Supervisor, Glendale Community Services & Parks.

I am taking the summer off from meetups to focus on family, travel, iNaturalist observations, grow my own nature journaling skills and return to writing two Substack publications: Terri Mando and Biophilia Folio, consider subscribing. 

There will be few emails thru the Summer, sign up for the email list to learn about any "pop-up" events.

Here is the link to the Fall 2026 Event Survey to help plan--I would be grateful for your input and feedback.

Hope to see you at one of the June meetups; if not, have a wonderful summer and don't forget to step out into nature and notice something you never noticed before. Consider sharing your summer observations on the FB group--I would LOVE to see what you are noticing and journaling, OR email me.

xoxo, Terri

It was a busy season. Just a few meetups and workshops...

                

Frogtown Flora Open Farm Day

You are invited to a special event, an Open Farm Day, Saturday, May 2, 10am-1pm at Frogtown Flora in Eagle Rock.  My friend Kathleen Ferguson created and nurtures this truely unique garden, everything grown organically. Frogtown Flora specializes in regenerative, pesticide-free, urban-farmed flowers. It is a hidden gem.  In addition to flowers and plants, many local vendors will be there--at the perfect time for Mother's Day!

CADA PASO COFFEE - Coffee, Tea, and Baked Goods. 
KELSEY’S FAMOUS LEMONADE
LIFE RESEARCH LAB - Handmade Soap 
FLORES INSECTA - Ceramics
RUAM MITR - Thai Food
SYCAMORE HILL HERB FARM - Seedlings and Herb Bundles 
THERESA CARROLL- Floral Hair Clips
KNOTWORKS - Ceramics
CANTABILE EVENTS - Harpists  
HI DESERT IRIS & DAYLILY SOCIET - Iris plants 
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY - Chrysanthemum plants. 
And of course… SHADOW HILLS NATURE JOURNAL CLUB

I'll be there to not only promote nature journaling--offering packs of notecards of my nature journal art: birds, botanicals, etc.-- but also sharing my other various artistic endeavors,

 

   

To attend: Click this link for location details.

FARM ETIQUETTE + GUIDELINES

• Parking - Street parking only. There’s plenty.
• Footwear - Paths and walkways can be uneven so please watch your step and wear sensible walking/hiking shoes.
• Pets Not Allowed - We LOVE our furry friends but ask you leave them at home for this event. *Service animals are always welcome.
• Children -  All ages are very welcome, but please supervise children during your visit.
• Follow Signs - Follow posted signs and directions, and please do not enter Host’s private buildings or marked off areas.
• Enjoy the Garden - Feel free to bring a blanket to relax and take in the surroundings. We’re so happy to share this space with you.