Stokes Nature Center presents
The Big Read
Inspired By: You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, ed. Ada Limon
Arts Midwest announced $1.09 million in NEA Big Read grants going to 65 nonprofit organizations to present community literature programming in 2025–26, and Stokes Nature Center is pleased to be one of those organizations!
All events are free and open to the public. Plan to attend one or all to learn, create, and share our experiences in the natural world.
We are happy to provide any accommodations necessary for all people to participate in these programs, including but not limited to, language translation, sign language interpretation, access to the nature center building, etc. Please reach out to nature@logannature.org with any questions or concerns.
Thank you to our amazing partners and sponsors that are making this series possible.
Kickoff Party
We celebrate the start of our series with a special event featuring author Michael Kleber-Diggs. We will give away 100 copies of the book inspiring our series, Michael will share his work from the book, sign copies, and more.
Date: October 18
Time: 1:30 pm
Location: Logan Library, Community Room
Writing Workshop
Visiting author Michael Kleber-Diggs will lead a writing workshop to inspire participants to create their own works celebrating our natural world.
Date: October 19
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Stokes Nature Center
Natural World Book Club
The first of four book discussions about You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World. This one will focus on the works in the book about wild and open spaces.
Date: November 18
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Writing Workshop and Open Mic Night
Helicon West will host a writing workshop and open mic night with the theme, “You are Here, Nature is for Everyone.”
Date: January 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Writing Workshop and Open Mic Night 2
Helicon West will host a second writing workshop and open mic night with the theme, “You are Here, Nature is for Everyone.” Perfect what you have already started or begin something new.
Date: January 22, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Guest Author: Molly McCully Brown
One of the featured authors in “You Are Here,” will share her inspiration and work, offer a Q&A with the audience, sign books, and more.
Date: January 227, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Natural World Book Club
The second of four book discussions about You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World. This one will focus on the works in the book about wildlife.
Date: February 17
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Natural World Book Club
The third of four book discussions about You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World. This one will focus on the works in the book about plant life.
Date: March 17
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Writing And NAture Art Workshop for Youth
A workshop just for youth to create their own poetry and art inspired by the natural world.
Date: March 24
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Logan Library
Nature Walk and Natural World Book Club
Join us for this two part event featuring a walk along the river guided by Sam Akers and followed by the fourth and final book discussion focused on the works about waterways.
Date: April 21
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Stokes Nature Center
Maguire Primrose
Photo Courtesy US FWS
Larry England, Photographer
Native Plant Walk and Community Poem Writing Experience
The second of our two part events: join us and Jack Greene for a walk to find some of our endemic and unique wildflowers along the River Trail, followed by crafting a community poem about what makes our natural world so special, led by Lisa Bickmore.
Date: May 9
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Stokes Nature Center
Kickoff Event for Jump the Moon’s Community Art Poem
Jump the Moon will illustrate our community poem to launch our art exhibit celebrating the natural world.
Date: May 11
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Jump the Moon
America250: Celebrating the beauty of our natural landscapes art exhibit opens
All community members are invited to contribute art to our America250 exhibit. The theme: The beauty of our natural landscapes as they are today or as the artist envisions them 250 years ago. Any art form is welcome, including but not limited to, poetry, photography, painting, sculpture, music, or otherwise. Works will be on display throughout the summer. The public is invited to come view and vote on their favorite throughout the month of June. Awards will be given for:
SNC Staff Choice
Viewers Choice
Best Under 18
Best Historical Representation
Best Nonvisual Art Submission
Date: June 7
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Stokes Nature Center
America250: Celebrating the beauty of our natural landscapes awards Night
Find out if your favorite wins by joining us for our awards celebration and meet the artists as we celebrate America250 and our natural world.
Date: July 7
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Stokes Nature Center