Poet Jodie Hollander Leads “Poetry of Place” Workshop Series in Redwood National and State Parks
CRESCENT CITY, Calif. – This August, join award-winning poet Jodie Hollander for a unique series of poetry workshops set in the awe-inspiring landscapes of Northern California’s redwood parks. Hosted by Redwood Parks Conservancy, the Poetry of Place series invites participants of all experience levels to find inspiration in nature and craft powerful poems rooted in place and imagination.
Each three-hour session will include creative writing prompts, discussions on craft—including line breaks, metaphor, imagery, and sound—and the opportunity to generate an original poem. No previous writing experience is necessary.
Friday, August 1 · 1–4 p.m.
Nature Poetry – Free
Prairie Creek Visitor Center, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Orick, CA
Using the towering redwoods and lush ferns as inspiration, this workshop guides participants in crafting musical lines and evoking nature through vivid, fresh imagery. The focus will be on refining line breaks and creating sound-rich poetry.
Saturday, August 2 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Poetry of Place – Free
Crescent Beach Overlook, Crescent City, CA
This session explores how physical landscapes and internal experiences come together in poetry. Set against a sweeping coastal vista, the workshop will include guided prompts and craft techniques to help participants express their connection to place.
Sunday, August 3 · 1–4 p.m.
Landscape Poetry – $50/person
Howland Hill Outdoor School, Crescent City, CA
Deep in the forest along historic Howland Hill Road, participants will study celebrated poems that capture the essence of the natural world. The session will emphasize metaphor, imagery, repetition, and sound to transform observation into vivid verse.
About the Instructor:
Jodie Hollander is the author of My Dark Horses and Nocturne, both published by Liverpool and Oxford University Press. Nocturne was longlisted for the Laurel Prize in nature writing. She is a MacDowell and Fulbright Fellow and the creator of Poetry in the Parks, a program that brings poetry workshops to U.S. National Parks and Monuments.
Registration is required. For more information and to sign up, visit bit.ly/poetry-rnsp.
