“Wonders of the Oak Woodlands: Emandal in June”

Instructor: Kate Marianchild

Skill Level: No particular requirements except interest in the natural world, ability to walk up moderate slopes on uneven ground, and comfortableness being alone in nature for an hour or so at a time.

Workshop: June 25-29, 2025

During this ArtStay, we will spend our mornings wandering and wondering through Emandal's woodland and riparian areas, stopping to familiarize ourselves with plants and animals; fungi and lichens, nests and burrows, signs and sounds. In addition to identifying organisms, Kate will share her knowledge of their lives, survival strategies, anatomical characteristics, and social structures, with an emphasis on their interrelationships with other species. In the afternoons, we will have quiet time for observing, listening, journaling, drawing, and/or relaxing; we'll come back together before dinner to discuss our experiences and pore through books and other resources for answers to burning questions.

Where else have you taught this workshop or a similar course?Emandal Farm-on-a River, 2019, 2023, 2024; Sierra Nevada Field Campus, 2024; weekly Walking in Wonder classes: 6-hour guided nature walks in the greater Ukiah area in five-week series; numerous guided nature walks for organizations around the state; and many in-person and Zoom slideshows. 

Additional Supplies for Workshop

  • Day pack

  • water bottle

  • hat

  • sunscreen

  • a light-colored piece of light-weight fabric to sit on, at least 4'x6' (part of a full bedsheet works--inexpensive from thrift store); 

  • close-focus binoculars and Kate's book, Secrets of the Oak Woodlands (both can be purchased from Kate ahead of time from her website or at Emandal); 

  • a pad of blank sheets for journaling and/or drawing; 

  • writing implement(s) of your choice; 

  • favorite field guides, if any; 

  • comfortable closed-toe shoes with some tread for walking off-trail--ideally shoes that burs won't stick to. 

  • Desirable but optional: 

    • Birding binoculars (8x42, 10x50 or whatever you have with a wide field of vision; Nikon Monarch 5 is a good, reasonably priced choice). I like to wear close-focus binoculars on a short strap and birding binoculars on a longer strap.