Conservationist to Lead Environmental Writing Workshop

John Hartig. Submitted.

Noted conservationist John Hartig will present a public talk on contemporary conservation efforts on Nov. 1, 7 pm, at The Ridges Nature Sanctuary. The free program is sponsored by Write On, Door County, in partnership with The Ridges. Hartig will also lead a workshop on environmental writing on Nov. 12, 9 am – noon, in Fish Creek. Hartig is writer-in-residence at Write On, Door County, focusing on completing a new work of environmental writing.

Dr. Hartig is trained as a limnologist with 30 years of experience in Great Lakes science and currently serves as refuge manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. He received a number of awards for his work, including the 2015 Conservationist of the Year Award from the John Muir Association. He has authored and co-authored more than 100 publications on the environment. His most recent book Bringing Conservation to Cities won a 2015 Gold Medal from the Nonfiction Authors Association in the “Sustainable Living” category. Bringing Conservation to Cities will be the focus of the Nov. 1 presentation.

Hartig’s Nov. 12 workshop will help anyone interested in writing about the environment, whether or not they have previous writing experience. About the workshop, Hartig says, “Creative nonfiction is simply defined as true stories well told. For many, science can be intimidating and difficult to understand. In this environmental writing class, we’ll look at examples of how to make science unintimidating and fun through telling a true environmental story. We’ll study the tools and techniques of telling environmental stories and do in-class writing exercises.”

Tuition is $45. For more information or to register, visit writeondoorcounty.org or call 920.868.1457.