Marina Richie Writes for the Birds and the Wilds

Nature writer and environmental advocate reflects

This bonus newsletter is a monthly feature for paid subscribers, the third in the series. These extras will showcase edited interviews with someone whose work intersects in some way with this newsletter’s focus—place, history, writing. I hope you enjoy this one and those to come.

Introduction

Last summer when I was at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest (written about in this newsletter here and here), I noticed a camper with a Fishtrap bumper sticker. Fishtrap is a delightful writing organization in northeastern Oregon that I’ve been involved with in different ways for a decade or so. I soon discovered who it belonged to: Marina Richie, someone with whom I was connected by mutual writing friends. We talked about the forest and writing and remained in touch. Her recent book, Halcyon Journey: In Search of the Belted Kingfisher, won a National Outdoor Book Award for 2022 and a Foreword Indies Award. Our conversation traveled a lot of shared ground. Read on!

(NOTE: the following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.)

Marina Richie on Stuart Peak, Montana, just after her book was published, 2022. (courtesy of Marina Richie)

Adam

How do you describe yourself and your work?

Marina

I call myself a nature writer, and I believe my work goes beyond traditional nature writing to environmental advocacy. I am both nature writer and environmental advocate.

Adam

How do they work together, the writing and advocacy?

Marina

I come from a journalistic background; I have a master's degree in journalism. So I learned the best way to tell a story of the need for a place to be protected is to show what's at stake and bring in both sides. I value accuracy, research, and listening to all perspectives. When I write straight advocacy in essays, blogs, and opinion pieces, I work hard to get the facts right and think about my audience.

I'm a member of an organization, Greater Hells Canyon Council. I'm the president of the board. I just finished writing an appeal letter for them. I write opinion pieces where very clearly I'm taking a stand. My blogs and nature writing often tell the stories behind places, wildlife, ecosystems, rivers, and birds. I try to give voice to those who are voiceless—at least in the languages humans speak.

I try to give voice to those who are voiceless—at least in the languages human speak.

Adam

How did you first get interested in writing about the living world? When did place and writing become personal interests and commitments of yours?