Natural History Institute: Keeping a Natural History Commonplace Book

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, and also as an accumulation of source material for creative projects, scientific explorations, and connection with place and community.