PRESENTATIONS

Schedule a Virtual or In-person Event

As an experienced naturalist and public speaker, I can provide engaging, entertaining, and educational programs for your organization.  I can speak at your in-person events such as meetings, festivals, and conferences. I can also lead live or pre-recorded online events for your audiences on a variety of subjects. I often collaborate with nature conservation organizations and educational groups to create custom virtual programs for audience-building, fundraising, and social media events.

DOWNLOAD CHRISTINE ELDER’S SPEAKER INFORMATION SUMMARY

 

My mission is to inspire folks to love and respect nature and understand its vital ecological role in our own well-being. I find deep solace in nature and I enjoy passing on that feeling of joy to others.

Presentation Topics

In the years since the Coronavirus pandemic began, I’ve taught over 200 live online workshops covering every imaginable species of flora and fauna from aardvarks to zebras and poisonous mushrooms to carnivorous plants. I specialize in giving presentations that combine learning about the biology of a creature with a step-by-step demonstration of creating a realistic drawing.

• Flora and fauna workshops that cover many taxonomic groups, habitats, and continents
• Techniques of drawing, painting, and journaling the natural world
• Virtual field trips highlighting habitats I’ve visited including Arctic tundra, rainforests, deserts, etc.

 

Types of Organizations I Work With

• Zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, natural history museums, and wildlife conservation organizations
• Educational institutions, environmental education groups, homeschooling programs
• Organizations that host festivals, conferences, workshops, and annual meetings

Examples of Collaborations

I lead presentations and workshops to promote the missions of organizations like wildlife conservation and rescue centers, botanical gardens, natural history museums, and educational institutions. This content can be used to build and serve your audience, increase brand awareness, dovetail with social media campaigns, and assist in fundraising.

Check out some of the examples below of programs I’ve created to help promote the causes of various organizations.

• West Indian Woodpecker Workshop for Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival
•  Sloth Biology and Sketching Workshop in support of the Toucan Rescue Ranch
• Caribbean Hummingbirds Workshop for Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival
• Northern Pintail Duck Workshop for World Migratory Bird Day
• Promotional book-launch event for Princeton University book, Habitats of the World
• Global Big Day promoting Costa Rica’s Rancho Naturalista
• Wild Women on the Water collaboration on drawing stream creatures
• Bird Field Sketching Workshop with Nevada’s Lahontan Audubon Society
• Sketching Wildlife in the Galapagos Islands with Tropical Birding Tours
• Sonoma State University ‘Learn with a Naturalist’ presentation
• Guild of Natural Science Illustrators annual meeting
• Wild Wonder Nature Journaling conference presentation

Organizations I’ve Collaborated With

• Eco-Stories Panama, summer, 2024
• Naturally Adventurous podcast with Charley Hesse interviews ( Listen here to #1 and #2)
• Sunriver Nature Center, Oregon
• Toucan Rescue Ranch, Costa Rica
• ThinkWild Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, Oregon
• Audubon Society Chapters in Oregon, Nevada, California
• Yuba Environmental Science Charter Academy, California
• Conteo Navideno de Aves, Mindo, Ecuador
• Deschutes Public Libraries, Oregon
• BirdsCaribbean / BirdSleuth Summer Camp, Jamaica
• Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival, Mexico
• Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference, California
• Winter Wings Birding Festival, Oregon
• High Desert Museum, Oregon
• Sonoma State Center for Environmental Inquiry, California
• Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
• Wildflowers Nature School, California
• Puget Sound Bird Festival, Washington
• Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
• The Art Station, Oregon
• University of Fairbanks, Alaska
• Federation of Flyfishers International / Central Oregon Flyfishers, Oregon
• Western Field Ornithologists, Oregon
• Harney County Migratory Bird Festival, Oregon
• John Muir Association /Mountain Day Camp, California
• California Native Plant Society, California
• Santa Cruz and Pacific Grove Natural History Museums, California
• Hartnell Junior College, California
• Notre Dame High School, California
• U.S. Forest Service, California
• Bay Area Carnivorous Plant Society, California
• Northcoast Environmental Center, California
• Humboldt State University, California
• Girl Scouts of America, California
• Monterey Bay Aquarium, California
• Marine Mammal Center, California
• The Nature Conservancy, California
• Youth in Arts of San Rafael, California
• SPECTRA Arts of Santa Cruz, California
• Nevada County Office of Education, California
• Santa Cruz Natural History Museum, California
• Grass Valley Center for the Arts, California
• Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Colorado

Interview on the Nature Journal Show

Suggested Compensation

My fees are based on a number of factors depending on whether your event is online or in-person and whether you need a custom program or an existing program I’ve already developed. Please CONTACT me to discuss your needs.

Praise from Collaborating Organizations

“On behalf of the veterinary staff of Toucan Rescue Ranch, we would like to thank Christine for giving us the sketching workshop. We all learned a lot and really enjoyed ourselves. Her explanations were very straightforward and easy to understand which helped us finish the workshop with a very satisfying result. It was really nice doing something that made us come out of our comfort zone and learn skills that can be handy in our day-to-day jobs.”
-Stephanie Valle Cubero, Education Coordinator, Toucan Rescue Ranch

“Christine Elder has a refreshingly welcoming approach to teaching about birds through art that reflects her obvious passion for wildlife and conservation of our natural environment. Whether at her home in Oregon or visiting us deep in the tropics at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, she has a marvelous potential to connect people with birds in a rich and meaningful way.”
– Neil Gerlowski, Executive Director, Vallarta Botanical Garden

“Christine is so genuine – in her love of nature and desire to teach others about its beauty. She warmly welcomes people into her nature-loving community. You won’t regret joining Christine!”
– Ian Fawley, Interpretive Ranger, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Christine gave excellent presentations at the 2022 Winter Wings Festival in Klamath Falls Oregon. Our attendees gave us very positive feedback on all her offerings, and we would be thrilled to have her participate again at our festival. 
-Anne Wenner, Winter Wings Birding Festival

Christine’s classes are inspiring and informative. With each topic, she engages her students with information and connection to the topic and then she shows us how to draw the animal or plant in a way that is applicable to other organisms as well. I really appreciate her enthusiasm and passion for learning about nature. I highly recommend her classes.
-Rima Givot, Sisters High School, Oregon“Christine is stellar in the classroom. Her projects are well thought out and she works very collaboratively with the classroom teachers. She mixes the science and the art nicely and the projects are well-timed.”
-Julie Block, former Director
Youth in Arts, San Rafael

“Christine ignites the studio classroom with her in-depth knowledge of wildlife biology, illustration, drawing, and painting to create a unique, diverse learning environment for artists of all ages! All of Christine’s classes are high-quality opportunities for our students at Art Station.”
-Deborah Allen, Arts Education Manager

“Christine is a strong, youthful scientist who entices others to look at the loveliness of nature. Her energy is contagious. Anyone would be lucky to have Christine on their team. Her passion and love for nature permeate whatever it is she is doing. She’s the real deal and has the scientific knowledge to accompany her enthusiasm.”
– Jill Harke, Director, John Muir Mountain Day Camp

“It was a pleasure working with Christine. She is very knowledgeable and knows who to convey that knowledge in a way that makes people excited to learn. Our girls absolutely love her enthusiasm and creative activities. I would highly recommend Christine for any program that involved teaching art and science to children.”
– Amy Perez, Girl Scout Leader, Troop 1238

“Thanks, Christine for sharing your passion and expertise with us in your wonderful class today. Both my kids loved it and so did I. I appreciate you being so supportive of our different skill levels. And your nature songs were a big hit – the girls have been singing them all afternoon!”
– Robin Baraybar, Oregon

“Ms. Elder enhanced our seventh grade Life Sciences curriculum; her knowledge, expertise, and organizational skills always make it a rewarding experience for all.”
–Trish Mihalek, Hall Middle School

 

Praise from Adult Students

“Christine Elder is a fantastic teacher and motivates her students in the best way possible. I love her enthusiasm and dedication to learning about what we draw — plants, animals, and the wonders of the natural world. She’s generous with her time and talent, especially for families, and loves it when the kids (and adults) share their artwork. It’s rare to find a Naturalist teacher who can readily combine the joy of observing and sketching wildlife with the seriousness of conserving species. I highly recommend Christine!”

– Jacqueline Textier

“Christine is a dynamite teacher, even for slow art learners like me. I’ve taken two bird sketching classes with here – she’s patient, entertaining and knows how to integrate biology with technique.”
– Denise Fainberg, Redmond Oregon

“Great exercises, especially for the beginner drawer like me. Christine is an excellent teacher and an enthusiastic advocate for nature journaling.”
– Cherie Campbell

“Christine is such a wonderful teacher. She knows her field really well and is very generous with her time and information. Her classes are top of the line and so much fun.”
– Lorna Cahill, Bend Oregon

“Christine was wonderfully organized and her presentation was extremely helpful. She filled every minute with useful info. I’m totally new to drawing and I came away with an increased sense of confidence and tools to use.”
– Susan Chollar, California

“I enjoyed Christine’s energy and the variety of activities she presented for us to experience with sketching, especially in being a beginner. I found her to be motivating and encouraging with the process of sketching, helpful in providing technique suggestions to consider, as well as tools/materials to use.”
– Deborah Lannizzotto, California

“Your introducing me to drawing (the scariest thing ever!) actually has led me to draw as a form of meditation and journaling without words … loving it!!!”
– Marie Mathews, Oregon

Praise from Youth Students

“Dear Christine, you are a great teacher and I love drawing with you.  When I first moved to Oregon I didn’t know anything about nature and you were the first one to teach me.  Since then I have wanted to learn more about plants and birds.  I can’t wait to see you again next year, and maybe we can draw some insects and bugs that we find!”
-Love, Monet (age 10)

“I have gone birding with Christine and have gone to several of her art classes. My family has had so much fun learning about birds from these experiences. Christine is very nice and she loves nature. It is fun to sing bird songs with her and watch her dance. I’m looking forward to seeing her again.”
-Gunner (age 12)

Christine’s Students

One of the best ways I’ve discovered to build a deep and informed connection with nature is through the practice of field sketching. It’s a time-honored tradition practiced by all the respected naturalists through time from John Muir, John James Audubon to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

I’ve found that in the process of observing something long enough to draw a sketch of it, you’ll learn more about its behavior and form than dozens of photos could provide, and you’ll have fun while you’re at it. I find it so rewarding to share my love of nature sketching and watch my students gain the confidence to explore the natural world through their sketchbooks.

I’ve taught hundreds of people my fun & quick techniques for sketching plants & animals. I can teach you to draw with ease and confidence and to take that skill outdoors where you’ll be rewarded with greater knowledge and appreciation for that which you’ve drawn.

Learn More About How We Can Collaborate

If your organization would like to inquire about inviting me to speak at your event or to give a workshop, please CONTACT me. You may also find my official bio and high-resolution images for publicity on my MEDIA page.