BirdFest & Bluegrass Partnership Event!

In this partnership between The Ridgefield Art Association and The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided walk of the refuge with paintbrush in hand!

Join local artist Kathleen Sorman to learn new ways to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the RNWR through nature journaling. We’ll begin our time together with a short walk on the Oaks to Wetland Trail. We’ll make new discoveries along the way and see how we can use these in our journals to record our findings. 

Then we’ll return to the Refuge Headquarters building and use our journals to learn to paint a bird with watercolors. Great class for kids 10 years or above and all adults. 

From Kathleen: I have always been a nature lover—camping, hiking, biking and sailing. I moved to the beautiful PNW fifteen years ago and call this home. I love the natural beauty we are able to see each and every day. I have been journaling for 8-10 years and enjoy getting out and focusing on different things each session—birds, trees, plants and flowers. My art journey began about 7 years ago with watercolor and botanical art. Currently, I’m exploring acrylics and abstract art. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is one of my favorite places to escape to—something new each visit!

You will receive: A handout on nature journaling, a watercolor journal, a watercolor brush pen, and the paints necessary for your first journal entry.

Class is free, but has limited space. Please register here by Friday, October 3rd to attend.

Note: There is very limited space for same-day registration on site on a first come, first served basis. We STRONGLY recommend you secure your spot here ahead of time, but if you’re seeing this after registration is full or closed, please arrive at the refuge before 10 am on October 4th, and we will let you know if there is room!

Where: Ridgefield NWR Headquarters: 28908 NW Main AVE, Ridgefield, WA 98642

Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Time: 10:00 am

Cost: FREE!