Small but Mighty: A Green Writing Workshop at CCRx

Two weekends ago, a small but mighty group of writers gathered at Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (CCRx) warehouse. We took the time to connect, first with each other, then with the landscapes, both inside and out, that shape who we are.

We wrote about the ways land leaves its mark on us: A farmland in Iowa, a childhood backyard, a city sidewalk, the rough bark of trees, and more.

One student, Paula, shared a piece called “Nature, Grandpa, and Me.” She wrote about her grandfather Elijah, a World War II veteran named after the Old Testament prophet, who taught her the healing power of nature. Every morning, he sat on his porch feeding the birds, pointing them out by name or identifying them by the sound of their chirping or their tapping on wood. Paula’s memories extended even further back, to her great-grandmother, a woman who sewed by hand outside, beneath a shaded tree, using fabrics made from old clothing, donations, and materials sent from relatives stationed around the world. In Paula’s family, nature and creativity were woven together, a way of life passed down from generation to generation.

Between writing prompts, we stepped outside into CCRx’s garden area. We wandered through the gazebo, noticed the tree’s early buds, and listened to the birds threading their songs through the hum of city noise. We took minutes in silence to acknowledge what was before us: the scent of soil and the breath of traffic, then folded those details into our stories.

Writing at CCRx, a space built for creative reuse, reminded us that as writers, we sometimes must reuse our stories, too. Old narratives, especially in environmental writing, need new life. Stories must be reshaped, replanted, and retold if we hope to preserve what matters. Creativity is expansive. It’s about making something new and keeping something alive.

If you want to join the next Green Writers’ Workshop at CCRx, email us for more details. A late summer session is coming.

Want to start writing about nature now?

Here are a few ways to begin:

• Take a “Wonder Walk”: Spend ten minutes outdoors and jot down five details you notice—sights, sounds, smells, textures, and movements.

• Try a Nature Memory prompt: Write about the first tree you remember climbing, the first garden you smelled, or the first rain you danced in.

• Read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer for beautiful examples of weaving nature, story, and care.

The world needs your stories. The land is always ready to speak with you. Go listen. Go write.