For many of us Coal Creek is our closest bit of wild water.  What do its riffles have to say to us?  How does being in its presence change the way we feel?  How can we string together words that honor the reflections we gather along its banks, and how might we let its persistent burble enliven our own language?  Join Friends of Coal Creek Writer-in-Residence Erin Robertson in this free, all-ages writing workshop inspired by the Louisville Public Library's current Textures of Coal Creek gallery exhibit.  We'll gather at the library then meander down to the creek near Community Park (0.7 miles, about a 15 minute walk) where we'll invite the water to write with and through us -- we are breathing bodies of water after all -- then we'll make our way back to the library.  Wear comfortable shoes and bring warm layers for evening and a full water bottle - Erin will bring mats to sit on.  No writing experience necessary, just a willingness to play.  In the case of inclement weather we will hold the whole workshop inside the library.

Erin Robertson has lived in Boulder County for 30 years, and is the founder of BoCo Wild Writers where she teaches outdoor nature writing classes. Her poetry has been published in the North American Review, Cold Mountain Review, Poet Lore, Deep Wild, and elsewhere, and has been performed by Ars Nova Singers and The Crossing choir. Past honors include being a guest artist hosted by the U.S. Consulate in Kazakhstan, Voices of the Wilderness Artist in Residence at Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge in Galena, Alaska, Boulder County Artist in Residence at Caribou Ranch, and awards in the Michael Adams Poetry Prize and Columbine Poets Members' Contest. Erin earned her Master of Science in Museum and Field Studies from CU studying botany and environmental interpretation, and worked as a conservation biologist advocating for endangered species in the Rocky Mountain West for 9 years. Her remarkable husband, two sons, parakeet, and pup teach her about wonder every day.  Her first book of poetry, What the River May Bring:  Impressions of Interior Alaska, will be published by Raw Earth Ink this winter.