About the event

Join The Wildlife Trust BCN & botanical artist Sophie Smith for a workshop observing our wonderful floodplain meadows in the Nene Wetlands. You will have the chance to learn about the magic of floodplain meadows, how we manage them to increase biodiversity, and how to identify key species, before recording your findings in a sketchbook, with guidance from Sophie.

This will include experimenting with various mediums such as graphite pencil, coloured pencils, pens and watercolour washes. Drawing experience is not necessary. This workshop is about spending time in nature, developing your own style of sketchbooking/nature journaling and meeting like-minded people.

Things to note:

• When booking please select whether you would like a sketchbook included in your ticket, please bring your own if you select a ticket without.
• We will be working outdoors for this session, if the weather is particularly bad we will run a session in the visitor centre.
• Please meet us at the visitor centre for the start time, we will need to take a walk to get to the area we will be working in (approx 15-20 minutes). There is an option to drive closer to the area and meet us there if you have mobility issues, please contact us for more details on this.
• Please bring a camping chair, or picnic blanket to sit on if you are able. We will have a couple available to borrow if you don't have either.
• We'd also recommend bug spray, suncream and a hat.
• CAR PARKING: Car parking charges apply for Summer Leys and can be paid for on the day (card payments only). Parking for members of the Wildlife Trust BCN is FREE - Members MUST register their vehicles to access free parking, for more information please visit here.

Tickets have been subsidised for this event, as part of our Water Restoration Fund (WRF). Find out more here.

Sophie Smith is a botanical artist based in Northamptonshire specialising in coloured pencil. A Fellow Member of the Society of Botanical Artists, her work has been exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London and she is an active member of Northants Open Studios. You can view more of her artwork on her Instagram: @sophiesmith_art