Writing from Nature w/ Kea Krause

North Woods by Daniel Mason is a collage of letters, memoir pages, poems and other ephemera used to tell a story about people’s relationship to place across generations. The novel is a testament to the idea that there is no one way to tell a personal history and that however a writer finds her way into any particular topic is part of the story itself. 

In the spirit of the North Woods various modes, this will be a multi-genre workshop where writers will gather and first participate on a nature walk through North Deering Park, each collecting something along our wanderings. Then we will have a short craft talk on nature writing followed by an opportunity to use your collected object as a prompt to write about anything it inspires--perhaps the smell of pine needles inspires a poem of a memorable hike you once took, or the mousey-brow of a pebble found along the path, an essay in vignettes about a favorite childhood pet. Anything is fodder for the page in this workshop, and there will be an opportunity to share our work at the end.

This workshop will be interdisciplinary and intergenerational--come with tons of experience or none at all. You do not need to have read North Woods to participate.

Sunday, June 28, at 11:00 AM, approximately 90 minutes. Free to the public. Registration encouraged.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Kea Krause is a science and nature writer based in Maine. Her work has appeared inThe Atlantic, National Geographic, Orion, Sierra and Wired, among other media outlets, and has been anthologized in Best American Science and Nature Writing, Best American Travel Writing and Best American Food Writing. In 2024, her piece about the Penobscot River dam removal was a finalist for a National Nonprofit News Award. In addition to writing and reporting, Kea is a 2026 MWPA Lit Fest Fellow where she also occasionally leads workshops, and a member of the Wild Seed Project nonprofit board.

PARKING, TRANSPORTATION & WAYFINDING

While 94% of Portland, ME residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park, the North Deering neighborhood didn’t have a single public park recognized as part of the city’s park system. That’s why Trust for Public Land partnered with the City of Portland to create the beautiful North Deering Park in 2023.

We'll gather at 71 Ballpark Dr, Portland, ME 04103, where there is a dirt parking lot.

The park is also accessible via the Portland Metro Route 9A, and a short walk.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

This series is a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Mechanics' Hall, with the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance.

The Trust for Public Land was founded in 1972 on the conviction that all people need access to nature and the outdoors, close to home, in the cities and communities where they live. TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they’re needed most, as a matter of health, equity, and justice.

Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance brings together Maine writers, editors, publishers, booksellers, and literary professionals at all stages of their careers to sharpen craft, create community, and celebrate great writing. They foster a greater awareness and readership of Maine writers; build networks of writers, readers, and publishers; create opportunities for writers to improve their craft; and act as the foremost authority on Maine literary news, keeping members and the public alike engaged and informed.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Mechanics' Hall was selected to be part of the NEA Big Read. From October 2025 to July 2026. We will work with community partners to present a wide range of public programs inspired by Daniel Mason’s novel North Woods.

Events are centered on the theme "On Nature" and will focus on nature, resilience, and human connection. These activities highlight how Maine’s history of conservation and public land stewardship shows how our physical environment can foster hope, courage, and a sense of belonging, encouraging meaningful dialogue about nature’s role in strengthening community bonds.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit

El proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Mechanics' Hall (Maine)