The Literature of Ecology

Online Resources for Researchers

Dec 21, 2008 Elaine Walker

Writing on the subject of the environment includes fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction, as part of a tradition of literature focusing on nature.

This cross genre focus means that Web resources available include sites which consider nature writing from the perspective of secondary criticism, as well as those which show-case work and reviews of a single author, from classic to contemporary writers.

The small selection of examples below illustrates only the range of approaches available, as a huge number of sites are available dedicated to an individual authors’ work on nature, from Charles Darwin to William Wordsworth and all those in between.

The Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment

This strongly international organisation is devoted to promoting 'the exchange of ideas and information about literature and other cultural representations that consider human relationships with the natural world'.The exchange includes essays and articles under the heading 'Introduction to Ecocriticism', making it a very useful feature for newcomers to the topic, which also offers an overview of nature writing as a genre.

Henry D. Thoreau's Life and Writing

The website devoted to the life and work of naturalist and author Henry D. Thoreau is a prime example of ongoing influence. While the site features a range of material on Thoreau and his philosophies, it is also devoted to practical conservation and the management of the New England area so closely associated with Thoreau’s writing.

A Romantic Natural History

The website for A Romantic Natural History considers the relationships between literature and natural history in the century before the publication of Charles Darwin's ‘On the Origin of Natural Species’ (1859). The site is mainly concerned with the development of natural history during the Romantic period and the impact of particular scientists on the imaginations of writers such as Mary Shelley, Percy Shelley, John Keats and William Wordsworth.

Sigurd F. Olson

The Sigurd F. Olson website is dedicated to the writing and influence of a pioneer in wilderness education. It includes open access full texts of unpublished speeches, letters and other documents by or relating to Sigurd F. Olson, as well as complete bibliography of his published work. There are also fully referenced articles of secondary criticism.

Robert Winkler

Quite different is the website of author Robert Winkler, which offers an excellent example of the links between factual and creative writing on ecology. Winkler sees himself as writing 'creative nonfiction that follows the tradition of New England nature writing perfected by Thoreau'. His great enthusiasm for his surroundings is evident from the sample material on the website. The site contains a large amount of Winkler's work, with critical reviews and information on the practicalities of wildlife photography, which features strongly in his material.

George Monbiot

A journalistic response may be found on the website of writer George Monbiot, public intellectual and columnist for the Guardian newspaper in the UK, known for his opposition to current trends in globalisation, and as a champion of human rights and environmental issues.

Using Links

Nature writing is a complex subject with many approaches and branches of enquiry. Internet research offers access to current information quicker than has ever been possible before and can be relied upon so long as diligence is used in checking the reliability of sources. The sites above all offer links to other sites, which can be useful in broadening or refining a research project as it develops.

The copyright of the article The Literature of Ecology in Geology/Ecology is owned by Elaine Walker. Permission to republish The Literature of Ecology in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nature Writing can Follow Many Paths