Class

Writing Birds

If you are wild about birds or just want to refine your skills of observation, "Writing Birds" will help you! In this three-hour workshop, we will use writing prompts to articulate our curiosities, emotions, and observations of birds, then read and respond in small peer groups.

And your writing can make a real difference in the future of birds: according to the 2025 State of the Birds report, North American bird populations have dropped 40% since 1970. Although more than one-third of U.S. adults identify as birdwatchers, their passion has not spread widely enough to translate into actions that can safeguard birds.

Our workshop will introduce you to local birding organizations, their name-change from Audubon's racist history, their new resources and trainings, as well as the best Twin Cities locations for viewing birds. With this three-hour course, you will have tools for learning and observing Minnesota's migratory birds. A proposed follow-up to this course is the eight-week "Writing Birds-II" course in Fall, where you will utilize your summer observations and craft them into essays.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in Collision Corps, gathering birds-as-data for replacing downtown Minneapolis' reflective glass windows and skyways with bird-safe glass.

Please email [email protected] at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. PLEASE NOTE: the elevator in Open Book will be unavailable for use from July - August 2025 due to modernization. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.