August 6-9, 2025
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.
What to Expect
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!
Equipment
Notebook and plenty of pens/pencils, and a laptop if that is your preferred way of writing.
Difficulty Level
Easy-Moderate. Hiking distance covers less than 3 miles per day, with less than 500 feet of elevation change.
Recommended Reading & Listening
Explore other’s Field Notes
Online: https://www.montananaturalist.org/field-notes/ Read the beautiful narratives written by previous participants of the Montana Natural History Center’s Field Note Writing Course.
Hard copy: Field Notes from the Montana Natural History Center: Hard copy https://www.montananaturalist.org/field-notes-book/
Audio: Search for “Field Notes Montana Public Radio” on Itunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
