Voices of the Wilderness Artist in Residence Program

The U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service offered one- to two-week residencies from June through August to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who wished to take part in stewardship projects in the wilderness of Alaska. Residents were paired with a wilderness ranger with whom they explore the national forests, parks, or refuges, while assisting with research, fieldwork, and other light ranger duties. Residents were provided with camping equipment and transportation to and from the field but were responsible for travel costs to and from Alaska. Residents were expected to donate one piece of creative work to the hosting federal agency and to give one public presentation, such as a reading or a workshop, that in some way connected the community to its public lands. Writers submitted six pages of poetry or prose, a résumé, a statement of purpose, and a project description by March 1. There is no application fee. Visit the website for more information.