Kids, Get Out Your Crayons and Paint!

At our Crayons & Paint event on August 10th, kids and their families are invited to play games, get creative and explore nature at Karen’s Preserve.

With school out and summer almost halfway through, families everywhere are looking for ways to keep their kids engaged and active and we’re offering a great opportunity to do just that!

On August 10^th from 9 a.m. 1 p.m., families with children between the ages of 5 and 12 can join our free “Crayons & Paint: Art in Nature” event and have fun getting creative in nature.

Photo by Amy Leist.

There, kids and parents will team up to play games that teach about local wildlife, animal tracks, native plants and more. At an open-art station, everyone can get creative and a little messy as they work on unique art projects, including special clay leaf prints. Local artist Lynn Marit Peterson will be there to create a one-of-a-kind live painting inspired by the beautiful Eastern Sierra scenery. After the day’s activities, we invite participants to enjoy an optional picnic lunch in the shade. Everyone will leave with an activity book so they can keep the outdoor fun and learning going all summer long!

Crayons & Paint will take place at Karen’s Preserve, a 33-acre parcel of land on the Sierra slopes overlooking Crowley Lake. Thanks to community support, we protected this scenic spot in 2008 with funding from the California Wildlife Conservation Board, so that it may forever provide important habitat for mule deer, birds, and other wildlife. The Preserve was formerly known as Crowley Hilltop Preserve, and was renamed Karen’s Preserve in 2013 to honor the inspiring and influential woman who helped conserve it: Karen Ferrell-Ingram. Karen played a central role in founding Eastern Sierra Land Trust in 2001 and has worn many hats over the years, including former Lands Director and Executive Director of ESLT.

We encourage you to bring your own lunch to Karen’s Preserve on August 10^th if you plan to stay for the picnic, and please remember to leave dogs at home. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, guardians, and anyone else with little loved ones are invited to join for this fun morning. Community members without children are encouraged to join Crayons & Paint as a volunteer, where they can help organize and run activities. To learn more, please contact Marie using the contact information below.

Attendance is limited! Anyone interested in joining this event should sign up before August 3^rd by contacting Marie Ring, ESLT Education Coordinator and AmeriCorps Member at or (760) 873 4554.

Both kids and adults can have fun experimenting with different art mediums. They can find artistic inspiration in the beauty of Karen’s Preserve at ESLT’s Crayons & Paint. Photo by Amy Leist.