Overview:
In 2021, this course was founded to create space for folks who wanted to expand the narratives we have about nature, in ways that also consider issues like colonization, racial justice, gender and sexuality, and more. The course aimed to uplift stories that viewed nature as inextricable from every system of power we lived in. Three years later, this course has evolved into a growing community of environmentalists dedicated to transforming the way we talk about nature, and changing the limited narratives we too often hear when confronting our climate crisis.
In our time together, students read nature writing that centers the most marginalized, and names the violent histories inherent in shaping our relationship to nature. We learn from the work of Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, Queer and other writers of color authors like Audre Lorde, Ross Gay, Natalie Diaz, Kim Tallbear, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Robin Kimmerer, and many others. We use this work as inspiration and an entry way for creating and sharing our own nature stories with the group, while also articulating our new visions for the narratives we want to tell in our environmental work at large.
The course is shaped around the idea writer Matthew Salesses wrote about in Craft in the Real World: the writing we know is simply “the history of which kind of stories have typically held power and for whom.” This course seeks to curate more spaces that can unearth and hold the stories that have historically had little power, validate those stories, and legitimize them as real “nature stories” in the environmentalist movement.
Course Objectives:
By the time participants finish this course, they have:
- Learned the harmful narratives we often perpetuate in our work about nature, and gained more clarity in what stories they want to contribute to the environmentalist movement instead.
- Expanded their knowledge of nature stories by people of color that already exist, and learned how to integrate and amplify these stories in their own work.
- Identified their own personal obstacles in storytelling, and built a writing practice that instead feels more easeful and personally aligned.
Structure
Traditionally, this class meets weekly on Zoom for eight weeks, and is capped at fifteen participants.
Registration for this course is currently open! Sign up here.
Other opportunities for partnership:
- Financial sponsorship of one or more cohorts of the course
- Offering this course as professional development in narrative strategy for company departments, fellowship cohorts, and other groups working at the intersections of nature, environmentalism and social justice.
- Offering shortened versions of the course for weekend retreats, conferences, trainings, coaching etc.
- Individualized coaching on narrative and communications strategy for those working in the environmentalist/conservation/climate justice fields.
Essay in Sierra Magazine reflecting on this work: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2023-4-winter/critic-s-notebook/how-writers-color-are-changing-what-nature-writing-looks
Testimonials:
“Amanda’s depth of knowledge, ability to teach about the intersectionality of identities and issues within the environmental view is nothing short of incredible and centered on helping us understand our critical role as writers and artists in helping imagine a future that is thriving. Her curation of writing samples to learn from is unlike any other course in nature writing. I felt comfortable and strong in my vulnerability through sharing my lived experiences in nature as a woman of color, and very reaffirmed that I belong in writing and what I share is important.”
-Olivia Van Damme, Class Participant
“This course was exactly what I needed and helped me explore nature writing and myself in a genuine and supportive way! Amanda’s curation of the format and content in the course is expertly crafted to cover a breadth of social identities of writers that completely challenge the perspectives that historically dominate nature writing. If you are looking for a writing space that centers care, cooperation, and community take this course!”
-Solāris, Class Participant
“I highly recommend Amanda’s class, for those who love to write and for those that don’t yet consider themselves writers. Amanda’s teaching style and approach —paired with the selected readings — welcomed me, challenged me, inspired curiosity within me, and helped me grow in new and different ways.”
-Alanna, Class Participant
“I’m so grateful to have found this course! The sessions are dynamic, interweaving reflection, idea sharing, reading, writing prompts, and lots of interaction. Amanda is a gifted teacher, generous and sharing of herself, and affirming, kind, and interested in her interactions with students. The writing prompts were engaging, and I now have a much richer sense of what nature writing can be!
-Amanda Birnbaum, Class Participant
“Before this course, I didn’t feel like I was a good enough writer or well-read enough. I struggled to find words to express myself, and even the motivation to begin. During this course, Amanda facilitated a creative and thoughtful space. At the end of every class, I left inspired and with a multitude of ideas and tools to continue pulling at my writing threads. I’m grateful to Amanda for inspiring confidence in my ability as a writer and for cultivating community in our cohort.
-Jimena, Class Participant
“I truly can’t recommend this course enough! Beyond building my writing skills, I feel more connected to myself and my relationship to nature. I’m so thankful for this experience and would take it again in a heartbeat.”
-Mary, Class Participant
“This is more than a writing workshop; it’s a community building course.
I found a space within this class to feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with myself and the other participants.”
-Maya Morales, Class Participant
“I have never really considered myself a writer (let alone a poet) before and I wrote one of my favorite poems in this class. I loved being able to read selections of nature writing from some of my favorite authors that I had not seen or explored their writing from that lens before.”
-Class Participant
***
If your organization is interested in partnership, reach out at contact@amandaemachado.com.
To receive an email update whenever the next general workshop registration opens, and/or other updates about opportunities associated with the class, sign-up here
***
Amanda E. Machado 