By 1812Blockhouse
On Saturday, April 18 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, a new kind of outdoor learning experience will take root at Malabar Farm State Park, where creativity, observation, and a sense of place come together on the same ground once walked by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and naturalist Louis Bromfield.
The Wildlife Journal Series, led by naturalist Hannah, opens its first of five sessions with an invitation that feels both simple and rare: slow down, look closely, and begin to record what you see.
A different way to experience nature
For two hours, participants will step into a guided exploration that mixes indoor and outdoor activities. This is not a lecture or a passive walk through the woods. It is designed as an active, personal experience.
Participants will write, sketch, and observe. They will learn to notice patterns in plants and animals, to identify common Ohio species, and to think about how those species interact with their environment. The idea is not just to learn facts, but to build a habit of attention. Each attendee will receive a wildlife journal, which becomes both a tool and a keepsake over the course of the series.
Starting close to home
Part 1 begins with the familiar. The focus is on local species and habitats, the kinds of plants and animals that are often overlooked because they are so close at hand.
The session includes creating a small collage of favorite local wildlife, discussing habitats, and exploring ways to make backyards more welcoming to native species. The indoor work then transitions outside, where participants will take a guided hike to search for plants and animals in their natural setting.
In Bromfield’s footsteps
Holding a journal and walking these fields carries a deeper resonance at Malabar Farm. This is the landscape Louis Bromfield shaped into a model of sustainable agriculture and thoughtful land stewardship.
Participants are, in a very real sense, following in his footsteps, observing the same rolling terrain and natural rhythms that informed his writing and his vision. The act of journaling becomes more than an activity; it becomes a connection to a legacy rooted in both literature and the land itself.
Designed for a wide audience
The program is open to ages 8 and up, but it is clearly designed with a broader audience in mind. Adults are not just welcome; they are part of the intended experience. There is something here for families, for individuals interested in nature journaling, and for anyone looking to reconnect with the outdoors in a more thoughtful way. The pace is accessible, but the approach respects the intelligence and curiosity of participants.
Because the program includes outdoor components, participants are encouraged to dress for the weather.
While the first session focuses on introduction and local wildlife, the series expands in scope as the months progress. Future sessions will explore themes such as toads and insects, butterflies and pollinators, bird life including purple martins, and broader seasonal changes through fall and winter. The structure suggests a progression not just in topics, but in how participants engage with the natural world over time. By the end of the series, the journal becomes a record of that evolving relationship.
How to attend
The program is free, but space is limited. Participants are asked to call 419-892-2784 in advance to reserve a spot. At Malabar Farm, where story and soil have long been intertwined, the Wildlife Journal Series offers something that feels especially fitting: a chance to observe, to reflect, and to write your own small chapter in a landscape that has inspired generations.
