The Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop: A Hands-On Naturalist Experience
Discover Nature in the Heart of Los Angeles
In Griffith Park, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of Brush Canyon, Earth City Wonder invites you to reconnect with the land through our Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop.
This hands-on, immersive workshop provides a unique opportunity to engage with the local environment while developing your skills as a naturalist. Whether you're just starting or are already familiar with the practice, this workshop meets you where you are and invites you to go deeper.
Bush Canyon over mustard with the marine layer breaking over the Los Angeles Basin.
Why Join the Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop?
The Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop offers a space for personal connection to nature right in the beating heart of megalopolis Los Angeles—whether you're a casual learner or a passionate naturalist. Under the guidance of a Certified California Naturalist, you'll explore the diverse ecosystems of Southern California, develop your observational skills, engage in citizen science, and connect with a community of naturalists.
Open Studio Concept: The workshop is designed as an "open studio," but the studio is the field! It’s in the natural, ever-changing landscape of Griffith Park. Each session provides exercises that allow you to connect with nature, follow your curiosity, and explore the local flora and fauna at your own pace.
Personalized Approach: Whether you’re looking for a one-time deep dive or seeking to develop a long-term naturalist practice, the workshop adapts to your needs. Ongoing participants can engage in regular naturalist work, develop projects, and build a portfolio of observations, while one-day participants can enjoy a taste of being a naturalist in the stunning setting of Brush Canyon.
Hands-On Learning: From identifying plant communities to using tools like binoculars, hand lenses, and nature apps like iNaturalist and Seek, the workshop provides all the tools you need to immerse yourself in the local ecosystems and build a deep, personal relationship with nature.
Ready to Join the Workshop?
Sign up Now!
Who Is the Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop For?
This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to develop a deeper connection to the natural world, regardless of your background or experience level. Whether you’re a nature lover, a beginner naturalist, or someone who feels disconnected from the environment, you will find a welcoming space here.
A portion of Brush Canyon. Notice all the different shades of green - from yellow-green to blue-green. They each represent different plants. Soon you’ll be able to look at this mosaic and identify the species.
The Workshop Is For:
Anyone who wants to learn about local plants and animals but doesn’t know where to start.
Anyone who worries about climate change and feels overwhelmed or helpless.
Anyone who loves spending time outdoors and wants to go deeper.
Science lovers and naturalists who want to be part of a community of like-minded individuals and a little outside structure.
People who may not have a science background but are curious and eager to engage with the natural world.
Previous Earth City Wonder tour-goers looking for more hands-on learning in nature.
Whether you're new to being a naturalist or an experienced observer, the Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop is for anyone who wants to embark on a transformative journey with nature and community.
Flexible Participation Options
One of the core benefits of the Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop is its flexibility. You can join for a single session or commit to long-term participation.
Empowerment Through Connection
Large flowered phacelia displaying its lavender-purple confidence in the Brush Canyon Spring in Griffith Park.
This workshop is about more than just learning to identify species. It's about reclaiming agency in the face of the environmental challenges we face today. By developing a deeper connection with nature, participants gain the confidence to become part of the solution—not through consumption, but through action and community-building.
Through attention exercises, journaling, and creative expression, we cultivate a new relationship with the land. By shifting our focus and deepening our connection, we become more attuned to the natural systems around us—and discover how we can actively contribute to their health and regeneration.
Workshop Highlights
Attention Exercises: Build your capacity to observe species over time and develop patience and presence with nature.
Nature Journaling: Record your observations, thoughts, and feelings about the landscape, helping you deepen your connection to your surroundings.
Using Naturalist Tools: Learn to identify plants, animals, and ecosystems using binoculars, hand lenses, and apps like Seek and iNaturalist.
Phenology: Observe and document the seasonal changes in Griffith Park’s diverse plant communities.
Community Building: Share your observations, ask questions, and collaborate with other workshop participants.
Personal Projects: Whether artistic or scientific, develop your own projects based on your naturalist work.
Outcomes of the Brush Canyon Naturalist Workshop
For One-Day Participants:
A deeper understanding of the flora and fauna of Griffith Park.
Introduction to naturalist techniques and tools.
A chance to connect with fellow nature enthusiasts.
For Ongoing Participants:
Development of a nature journal.
Ability to identify four key plant communities: coastal sage scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, and riparian.
Increased understanding of phenology and species relationships.
Opportunities to engage in citizen science and community-led environmental projects.
Empowering Change, One Moment at a Time
Wild cucumber fruit over the course of a year.
At Earth City Wonder, we believe that the greatest tool we have for addressing climate change is our relationship with the land. By deepening our connection to nature, we shift the culture and inspire a new way of living that prioritizes sustainability and regeneration. As you learn, observe, and engage with the natural world, you become part of the larger regenerative movement to create a sustainable future.
Ready to start your naturalist journey?
Sign up for a session today and experience the transformative power of nature!