August 6-9, 2025

We’re parntnering with the Montana Natural History Center and Turnstone Nature Education on this amazing program!

Enhance your observation skills and learn to document your natural world encounters in our Beartooth Nature Writing Workshop. This course teaches participants how to effectively record their observations, experiences, and reflections in the field. Through guided writing prompts and exercises, followed up with personalized feedback, participants will develop their own narrative, capturing the essence of their nature experiences in a meaningful way.

Through a series of group writing exercises, supportive workshops, and ample unstructured solo time, this course will stimulate your creativity, refine your writing process, and equip you with the tools to document your encounters with the natural world. Each day is thoughtfully designed to provide the environment and resources needed to deepen your writing practice. Together, we’ll respond to writing prompts, read and discuss nature writing, and engage in supportive workshopping. Your leaders will offer personalized, constructive feedback and work with you to polish your writing. By the end of the weekend, you’ll feel refreshed, inspired, and brimming with new ideas. If you wish, you can continue working with the course leaders after the program concludes, with the opportunity to eventually record your finished Field Note on Montana Public Radio!

Allison De Jong (she/her)

Communications Coordinator and Editor of Montana Naturalist magazine and Field Notes at the Montana Natural History Center.

Allison is a lifelong lover of both nature and the written word, balancing her passion for reading and writing with exploring wild places in Montana and beyond. Since 2009 she’s been privileged to work at the Montana Natural History Center, where she teaches nature writing workshops and collaborates with writers, naturalists, and scientists to produce Montana Naturalist magazine and the Field Notes program on Montana Public Radio. Allison grew up in Iowa, where she attended college and studied English literature and creative writing, then found herself pulled west. She has an M.S. in Environmental Writing from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist. 

Allison finds great joy in creating community around nature writing, bringing together people who are passionate and curious about the natural world and providing a supportive space for them to craft and share their stories. 

Drew Lefebvre

Founder of Turnstone Nature Education

As a naturalist and educator, Drew has many years' experience developing and leading natural history programs. Her background includes exhibit design and interpretation, wilderness field work, and a variety of teaching experiences for adults and children of all ages. Originally from Maine, she attended college in Boston, where she studied linguistics and philosophy. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist and Master Gardener.
 
Drew believes that everyone has a story or observation about the natural world; helping you add meaning, knowledge, and a sense of wonder to your experiences is a highlight of my work.