Interdisciplinary Nature & Writing Workshops: Laura Pritchett

The following sessions, organized and led by Laura Pritchett, are in partnership with the Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability, ENVS 200 “Writing the Environment” and ENG 230 “Environmental Literature.” All student, faculty, staff, and public are welcome!

9 to 10 a.m. RADY Center Auditorium 109

LIVESTREAM https://western.zoom.us/j/86428579516

• The Intersection of Journalism, Writing, and the Natural World. 
  • Join Gretchen King, executive editor at High Country News, Alyssa Pinkerton of The Colorado Sun, and Laura Pritchett, who has published pieces in both publications and who directs the MFA in Nature Writing. At this panel, we’ll learn more about the intersection of journalism, the environment, and writing. These two publications are often considered to be the best Colorado has to offer — come hear what's going on in the world of environmental writing today!

10 to 11 a.m. RADY Center Auditorium 109

• Overview and Explorations into Environmental Writing Now
  • With Laura Pritchett. Come learn about what's going on in the world of environmental writing today — and then sink into a short nature-based writing exercise that's sure to inspire new words. We'll venture outside if the weather is nice and stay inside if not. 

11 to NOON RADY Center Auditorium 109

• Writing for Planet Earth, continued. 
  • Writers who wish to extend their writing time or have questions can stay afterwards. 

Featured Speakers

Laura Pritchett

Dr. Laura Pritchett directs the MFA in Nature Writing at Western Colorado University. She’s a widely-published author of seven novels, two nonfiction books, and has had over 400 pieces published in places such as Orion, The LA Times, The New York Times, The Sun, Terrain, Ecotone, Salon, Creative Nonfiction, High Country News, Publisher’s Weekly, The Normal School, Writers on the Range, and many others. She’s editor of three anthologies about conservation, and her play, Dirt: A Terra Nova Expedition, was produced in 2018. When not writing or teaching, she’s generally found exploring the mountains of her home state of Colorado. Discover more:  www.laurapritchett.com

Gretchen King

Gretchen King is the executive editor of High Country News where she helps orchestrate the flow of the magazine's journalism, manages its fellowship program, oversees digital content, including its website, social media and newsletters, and commissions and edits stories. She holds a B.S. in journalism and master’s in professional communications and has worked in a variety of journalism, multimedia and public relations roles before landing at the magazine. Raised on the Western Slope of Colorado, Gretchen has lived in Boulder, Indiana, Oregon and Fairbanks, Alaska. Now in Gunnison, Colorado, she loves any mountain experience, chocolate and spending time with her husband, Mike, her son, Riley, their two dogs and fat cat.

Alyssa Pinkerton

Alyssa Pinkerton has spent the last 17 years raising money for nonprofit news across the West--because strong journalism doesn’t fund itself, and democracy isn’t a DIY project. Before joining The Colorado Sun, she served as Director of Development at High Country News in Paonia, Colo., and has supported mission-driven organizations as both a contract and volunteer fundraiser. In short: she knows how to rally people who care and turn passion into impact.

Alyssa loves connecting big-hearted donors and visionary funders with The Sun’s mission: producing independent, high-quality journalism so every Coloradan can be informed, engaged and empowered. She believes giving isn’t transactional, but an investment in truth, accountability and community. She lives in Fort Collins with her aggressively affectionate, longhair cat and her singer-songwriter spouse, Mike -- which means there’s usually either live music or a lap full of fur.

With Gratitude to the Following:

Our Generous Donors

• The Mari Sandoz Society marisandozsociety.org
• Western Colorado University
  • Department of Communication Arts, Languages and Literature (CALL)
  • The English Program
  • The Graduate Program in Creative Writing
  • WordHorde Creative Writing Club
  • The Council for Creative Expression
  • The Resiliency Studies Fund
  • Offices of the President, the Provost and Student Affairs

With Crucial Assistance from

• Elizabeth Chase – Executive Secretary, Mari Sandoz Society
• Shannon Smith – President, Mari Sandoz Society
• Cindy Petitio – Administrative Assistant, CALL Department, WCU
• Tamara Toomey – Chair, CALL Department, WCU
• Seth Mensing – Media & Communications Manager, WCU
• Reilly Selinger – Annual Giving Coordinator, WCU Foundation
• Benjamin Justice – Chair of Music and Kinkaid Concert Hall Maestro, WCU
• Kelley Jones – Administrative Assistant, RADY manager, WCU/CU Boulder
• Andrew Flebbe – Campus AV Manager, WCU
• Arvin Ramgoolam – Owner, Townie Books (Crested Butte) and Organizer of the Mountain Words Festival (May 21-24) mtnwords.org

And so many others! Thank you to the Western Community for all your Support!