Drawing Playa Wetlands

For More Information Contact: Darryl Birkenfeld, Ph.D. Director Emeritus, Ogallala Commons 806-336-1713 darryl@ogallalacommons.org

Master Naturalists, educators, artists, conservationists, and the interested public are invited to attend a Drawing Playa Wetlands Field Day presented by Ogallala Commons (www.ogallalacommons.org) on Saturday, June 6th from 10:00am-2pm at OC Playa Classroom in Nazareth, TX.  The first hour of the field day will offer outdoor education about playa ecosystems, followed by a session on “drawing” playa wetlands utilizing techniques such as negative space and continuous line.

“The drawing workshop merges fundamental drawing techniques with conversations about playa wetland ecosystems,” notes Prof. Flueckiger. “Negative space technique helps us honor the sun/water cycle that fills playas with water. Drip drawing allows us to honor how playas function to recharge the aquifer. Continuous line drawing helps in understand how the flora and fauna within the playa wetland ecosystem are interconnected.”

Attendees can begin gathering at 9:30 am at the Holy Family Catholic Church Narthex (210 St. Joseph Street, Nazareth, TX 79063) for check-in, bathroom facilities, and light refreshments.  At 10am, the group will move to OC Playa Classroom to begin with drawing and painting techniques, with direction provided by Carol Flueckiger, Professor of Art at Texas Tech University, and nature journaling provided by Jose Barrientos, Internship Manager at Environment for the Americans.  After the initial practice time, participants can follow a tour and learn about playa ecosystems, then have additional time to reflect, enlarge, and complete their artwork.

Registration for the event is $20 per person.  Scholarships are available—please contact Dr. Birkenfeld to be considered. To register and pay online, you can use this link:  

Otherwise, you can register by contacting Darryl Birkenfeld, Ogallala Commons Director Emeritus (darryl@ogallalacommons.org or by phone at 806-336-1713). 

Playas are shallow, rain-fed wetlands throughout the Great Plains. When containing surface water, playas provide crucial habitat for many wildlife that depend on water to survive. When dry, playas also support several other Great Plains wildlife species because they are often the only natural lands in a region dominated by agricultural production. Playas also recharge water to the underlying aquifer, filter nutrients and chemicals from the surrounding watershed, and add recreational value to the region. 

The Field Day is presented by Ogallala Commons, with funding support from the High Plains Water District.