Washington artist Douglas Alvord is on a mission: connecting children to nature.

In the ever-expanding world of technology, Alvord said he thinks it’s important to get back to the outdoors, and art is a good way to do just that.

Starting July 17, Alvord will host a free, “plein air” art class on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Aug. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon each day. Students age 10-15 are invited to sign up and will practice drawing natural scenes.

The hope is to use those drawings to create a book about the river flora and fauna, according to Alvord, similar to the one he put together called “Tall Timber of Weyerhaeuser,” which was distributed to middle school students across the state.

“Now, kids don’t even go in the woods. We have to get back to the basics,” Alvord said. “This is an attempt to get them off the internet. All of these classes are going to be held outdoors.”

Alvord said he wants children to understand the importance of nature. If the original settlers came to America and saw no trees, plants or animals, then they would’ve turned right back around, he explained. To Alvord, nature is a gift.

“We’re all familiar with the word environment, environmental, but no one really knows what it means,” he said, adding that there has to be a connection for people to understand the answer to the question, “Why do we have to take care of the world?”

“I don’t even see myself as a teacher, but a guide,” Alvord said.

Alvord’s art class is limited to 12 participants, and adult permission is required. Materials will be supplied. Those interested are asked to sign up at the circulation desk at Brown Library.

By the time Aug. 24 rolls around, Alvord said he hopes the participants will have taken the opportunity to learn more about their natural surroundings by capturing it through art.

“I plan to immerse myself in not only this field of art, but art and nature together,” he said. “That is nature’s gift to us, and we should take care of it.”

An informational meeting will be held Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at Brown Library. For more information about the art class, contact Douglas Alvord by email at alvord2017@gmail.com, or by phone at 252-495-3597.

Vail Stewart Rumley contributed reporting for this article.