Winter Skills of a Naturalist: The Quiet Science of Mosses

Mosses are some of the most ancient and resilient plants on Earth. They are the quiet architects of our forests...slowly shaping soil, softening logs, capturing water, and transforming tree trunks and rocks into thriving microhabitats.Their soft textures and subtle forms hide a world of intricate structure, surprising diversity, and remarkable ecological roles. Winter, with its moisture-rich air and low canopy light, is the perfect season to study them.

To really get to know mosses, you need good habitat, magnification, and a rich assortment of species to compare — and we have all three! Join us for an interactive learning experience that will sharpen your observation skills and teach you how to identify several of the Pacific Northwest’s most common mosses. We’ll explore growth forms, branching patterns, leaf characteristics, and microhabitat preferences as we use hand lenses and field guides to step through approachable identification techniques.

Participants will learn the basics of moss biology and natural history, how mosses thrive without vascular tissue, and why they are so vital to healthy forest ecosystems. One of our sharpest “tools of the naturalist” is honing pattern-recognition skills, and these small, green, and delightfully patient species are ideal teachers. Plus, they never run (or fly, or jump) away!

Whether you’re brand new to mosses or ready to take your winter field skills to the next level, this class invites you to slow down, look closely, and discover the quiet science of the bryophyte world.

THINGS TO KNOW

• This class is rain or shine, so please dress in layers and always bring a rain layer, gloves and hat at this time of year.
• If you have a jeweler's loupe, or magnifying hand lens please bring it with you. We have them to lend too.
• Due to the content and pace of this program, we are listing this as a youth & adults only class.
• Please remember our campus policy is 'no dogs unless they are a service animal.'
• We always cap off our hikes with a sweet treat of our homemade cookies too!

Your instructors for this session will be IslandWood's Senior Naturalist, Christina Woolf, and Community Education Assistant Shoopie Panholzer.

Christina is a Washington State Master Naturalist (WSU, 2024), Master Birder (Birds Connect Seattle/Seattle Audubon, 2011), WDFW Wetland Monitor (2014), Certified Beach Naturalist (2014), and Certified Interpretive Guide (National Association of Interpretation (2015), and has been joyfully teaching environmental education for over 25 years.

Christina has been studying under her bryologist mentor, Phoebe Goit, for over five years. Phoebe is one of western Washington's most knowledgeable scientists in macrolichens of the PNW.

Shoopie has been teaching outdoors since 2017, and recently completed her Masters in Education, with a focus on environmental education. She has taught all ages from 3 to 93. Her expertise is in California Oakwoodlands, however she has enjoyed getting to know the Pacific Northwest through her nature journal and incredible mentors.