Nature Journaling (KTFNJ) + Birdathon w/ Point Blue Conservation Science
Details
Would you like to slow down, notice more, and invite a sense of awe, calm, and wonder into your day?
Join us for a Nature Journaling adventure every third Sunday of the month! Each month, we explore a different natural gem within San Francisco, pausing to capture our observations, curiosity, and moments of joy in our journals — using words, pictures, and numbers.
This September, we are excited to partner with Point Blue Conservation Science’s CASA Wrens for a special joint event combining birding, conservation, and nature journaling along the bay and tidal marsh at Crissy Field.
Join us for the full day or drop in for the parts that fit your schedule!
Event Details
🕐 Schedule: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Please arrive at 10:00, 12:00, or 1:00 so we can start each activity together!)
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Point Blue CASA Wrens Bird-A-Thon Walk: Team up with co-captains Lishka Arata (Point Blue Biologist & Educator) and Anne Chadwick (CASA Volunteer) for a guided bird walk as part of the 48th Annual Rich Stallcup Bird-A-Thon. We’ll count species along the marsh and shoreline (loaner binoculars and spotting scopes available!).
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch & Social: Bring your own lunch or snacks and gather at the picnic tables to connect, share sightings, and transition into journaling.
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Nature Journaling (or Keep Birding!): Tune your senses to coastal birds, native plants, water, and fog through sketching, notes, and numbers—or continue birding and adding to the species count.
📍 Location: Crissy Field, The Presidio, San Francisco
📍 Meeting Point: Crissy Field East Beach Picnic Area — we will meet and wrap up by the picnic tables.
🖊️ What to Bring: A journal or sketchbook, writing and drawing/coloring supplies, a packable lunch/snacks, and water. Dress in warm layers (the bay breeze and fog can roll in quickly!). Optional: binoculars, a lightweight portable stool, and your curiosity.
🧻 Nearest restrooms are located right next to the East Beach parking lot and picnic area.
🚌 Getting there:
SF Muni: 30 Stockton to Mason & Yacht Road (near East Beach), or 43 Masonic to Presidio Transit Center + a 10-minute walk.
Free Presidio GO Shuttle: Downtown Route from Salesforce Transit Center or Embarcadero BART to Presidio Transit Center.
Golden Gate Transit: Routes 101 or 120 from Marin to Richardson & Lyon.
Parking: Free parking is available at the Crissy Field East Beach parking lot. Spaces fill up on weekends; carpooling is always a great way to go!
💰 Cost: It's a free event, but we encourage a $20 donation. You can sponsor/donate to the Point Blue Bird-A-Thon CASA Wrens team at https://charity.pledgeit.org/c/pjlskwxbgy/contribute/select to support conservation science, and/or donate to the Wild Wonder Foundation at https://www.wildwonder.org/donate.
🐥 Bonus add-ons (if you want to explore beyond this meet-up):
Take a stroll inland toward El Polín Spring to spot woodland birds and native plant restorations.
Walk west along the Crissy Field Promenade toward Fort Point for sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
📚 References:
KtFNJ email list: tinyurl.com/ktfnj
Getting started with Nature Journaling:
wildwonder.org
johnmuirlaws.com
Point Blue Conservation Science: pointblue.org
Come as you are — no experience needed, just a sense of wonder. We can’t wait to explore with you!