{"id":1767,"date":"2026-10-04T15:43:58","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T19:43:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/?p=1767"},"modified":"2026-10-04T16:12:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T20:12:34","slug":"write-out-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/write-out-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"North Woods Write Out 2026! (Oct. 7-8)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Write Out: Write Where We Stand<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The North Woods and the Medicinal Gardens of URI\u2019s Kingston Campus*<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

October 7 and 8**<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

8:00 am-5:00 pm<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

*  <\/strong>The North Woods is not ADA\/wheelchair accessible. Self-guided, accessible activities are available at the URI Medicinal Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

** Rain dates October 12 & 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Write Out<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since 2017, the Department of Public and Professional Writing has worked with campus and community partners to host an annual celebration in October that draws attention to the remarkable variety of writing on our campus and in our community. These celebrations provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to write together, publicly and powerfully<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year we are again joining the National Writing Project and the National Parks Service to host a local \u201c<\/strong>Write Out: Write Where We Stand<\/strong><\/a>\u201d event on October 7 and 8, 2026 in the North Woods and the Medicinal Gardens of URI\u2019s Kingston Campus.<\/strong> We\u2019ll have opportunities for students to get outside, connect to local places and ecosystems, and engage in both scientific and creative writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 *Rain dates October 12 and 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activities are described here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-Guided Activities in the North Woods<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will have printed copies of the document available at the welcome table; however, students should review these prior to attending so they have a good idea of how to spend their time and complete their pocket field guides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Where to Find Us<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tent and welcome table will be set up at the edge of the North Woods, on Flag Road, across from the Coastal Institute. First-Year Writing classes should meet at the tent at their regularly scheduled times. Others are welcome to join anytime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Parking adjacent to the North Woods is limited during the academic year. Students with an active parking permit may use the Fine Arts lot, or take the campus shuttle to the Coastal Institute on Flagg Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those with accessibility needs, you can visit the wheel-chair accessible URI Medicinal Gardens anytime to observe and learn more about the plants that contribute to our healing and wellness. This year, the DWELL lab has added an audio tour<\/a> that enriches the visit! Both of these locations provide unique opportunities to experience the natural world and document those experiences through the practice of taking field notes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Ready for the North Woods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While there is some bench seating in the North Woods, you may want to bring a blanket or towel for sitting on the forest floor for your woodland observations and field note-writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress for the outdoors! Sturdy walking shoes or athletic shoes are a must. If you decide to hike through the trail, you might consider hiking boots or trail shoes with thicker soles and good ankle support. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing. Light layers will help you prepare for changes in temperature during the day. Consider wearing a hat to shield your face and head from sun and your eyes from the glare. Bring a backpack or hip pack for your water bottle and field notebook. Apply sunscreen and insect repellent. Read more about tick, mosquito, and poison ivy prevention on the Visit<\/a> page of the North Woods website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn About The North Woods<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The North Woods is adjacent to the URI main campus, encompassing 307 acres just to the north across Flagg Road. The land includes 225 acres of forest, wetlands, and headwater streams; intramural athletic fields; and a solar panel array built on a reclaimed Superfund site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking Field Notes in the North Woods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cField Notes: How capturing observations \u2018in the field\u2019 can be used to strengthen your writing<\/a>\u201d by AnnaFaith Jorgensen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this video, AnnaFaith Jorgenson, a former DWELL RA and graduate of the MESM program, discusses her experiences taking different types of field notes and offers different tips and best practices for taking notes and reflecting on field experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multilingual North Woods Species Identification List<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the iNaturalist App<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

iNaturalist helps you identify the plants and animals around you while generating data for science and conservation. Get connected with a community of millions of scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature! Using the free iNaturalist application can be a fun and easy way to learn more about the plants and animals of the North Woods. iNaturalist can also help to identify species if you upload your own photos. To use iNaturalist, you should download the app and create a free account prior to the event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using Merlin Bird ID App<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merlin is a free mobile application from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that helps users identify birds by answering a few simple questions about the bird\u2019s location, size, color, and behavior, by taking photos of the bird, or by listening to its sound. The app uses data from the global citizen-science database eBird to provide the most likely species. Merlin also provides access to bird images, audio recordings, tips from experts, range maps, and a tool to build a digital \u201clife list\u201d of birds the user has seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating Your Own Pocket Field Guide <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this year\u2019s event, participants are invited to create their own pocket field guide that includes both scientific and creative writing and illustration. No prior experience is necessary, and we believe everyone can be a good writer and illustrator as long as the work is done with thoughtfulness and care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ellie Lin, a senior illustration major at RISD, spent the summer learning about the North Woods and how it serves the URI community as teaching, research, and recreational forest. She observed different habitats and the species that inhabit them. She also completed interviews with URI faculty and students who conduct research on animals and the environment. She discovered that researchers are investigating the manmade features on the North Woods such as the stone walls that tell stories about how land use has changed over time. From this research, she developed the pocket field guide as well as a larger field guide with multiple entries that will be available later in October. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ellie has created a video to help you fold the paper for your guide. You can either do this in advance of Write Out or when you get there in Station 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fold Paper to Make a Zine<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now you have a small booklet or zine to fill with your experience, thoughts, questions, and curiosities about the North Woods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of the stations at Write Out are meant to give you inspiration and an opportunity to fill your pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Event<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are in WRT 104 or 106, submit your pocket field guide to your instructor. Then, please give permission for your zine to be considered for publication in the next edition of the North Woods Field Guide. The submission form is here: https:\/\/dwell-lab.submittable.com\/submit\/338604\/north-woods-field-guide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions about Write Out or how you can get involved? Email co-organizers Stephanie West-Puckett, stephwp@uri.edu or Madison Jones madisonjones@uri.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

**<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-guided Observation at the URI Medicinal Gardens<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden is wheelchair accessible. Field note journals and pre-sharpened pencils will be available. Location TBA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heber W. Youngken Jr. Medicinal Garden<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Medicinal Garden is in the courtyard of the Pharmacy Building, between Woodward and Tyler Hall. The garden is named after the College of Pharmacy\u2019s founding dean, the late Heber W. Youngken Jr., a pioneer in the study of medicinal plants. Now, with 200 medicinal plants, 500 ornamental plants, 9 birch trees, sodded areas, walkways, benches shaped in the form of birch leaves and a translucent sculptural frieze featuring panels that depict plant life in laboratory slides, the courtyard and garden are places for research and respite from the demands of 21st-century life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the Event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish and submit your writing to be considered for use in the medicinal garden\u2019s interpretive materials. Writing selected for publication will inform, delight, and deepen readers\u2019 relationships with the medicinal garden. Take a look at these examples published in the Cascadia Field Guide<\/em> (2023) for inspiration. Submit entries with your name, instructor\u2019s name, and email address to: stephwp@uri.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medicinal Garden Plant List<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We look forward to hosting visitors to the North Woods. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the organizers Stephanie West-Puckett (stephwp@uri.edu) and Madison Jones (madisonjones@uri.edu).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Write Out: Write Where We Stand The North Woods and the Medicinal Gardens of URI\u2019s Kingston Campus* October 7 and 8** 8:00 am-5:00 pm *  The North Woods is not ADA\/wheelchair accessible. Self-guided, accessible activities are available at the URI Medicinal Gardens. ** Rain dates October 12 & 13 About Write Out Since 2017, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4021,"featured_media":1776,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4021"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1767"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1778,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1767\/revisions\/1778"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/dwell\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}