We will meet at the preserve, early enough to beat the heat (but bring water!). In the parking lot, facing the woods, follow the sidewalk to the right until you reach the meeting area beside the fishing pond. We will talk about writing and drawing to enrich your time in nature, and then everyone will then have 30-45 minutes to walk within the preserve and write and draw. We will then reconvene by the fishing pond to discuss how it went.

Nature journaling is not only a way to preserve thoughts and images from a day in nature. It also is likely to make your memory of the day richer, it’s an opportunity for self-reflection while writing and drawing, and promotes mindful awareness of the present moment.

Please bring a notebook or paper and a pen and pencil (colored pencils if you would like). We will have a notebook and pencil for you if you don’t have one. If you have one, you could bring a small camp stool (not required).

For 15 years, Susan Alvarez served as the assistant director for the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability at the City of Dallas. She recently became Director of Environment and Development for the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG).

At the NCTCOG, she'll provide direction to cities and others throughout all 16 counties in the NCTCOG region.

Ms. Alvarez is a seasoned environmental executive bringing broad practical experience in civil and environmental planning, engineering and management for municipal, state, tribal and federal governments including environmental site characterization and restoration, drainage and floodplain management, air quality monitoring, facility planning, site-civil and regulatory compliance. She has considerable experience in multi-jurisdictional consensus building, capital planning, project finance, and public involvement, outreach and engagement.

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