“Wonders of the Oak Woodlands: Emandal in June”

Instructor: Kate Marianchild

Skill level: Ability to occasionally walk up moderate slopes on uneven ground.

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.

Kate Marianchild is the author of the best-selling book, Secrets of the Oak Woodlands: Plants and Animals among California’s Oaks.” She has been leading guided nature walks and giving talks throughout California since 2008 and has taught multi-day residential nature workshops at the Sierra Nevada Field Campus and at Emandal since 2019. 

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.