ART ALL AROUND. Amy Fleury, pictured above, shares their written work at the 2024 Poem Hike event at the Town Of Union Conservancy, hosted by Eau Claire Outdoors. (Submitted photo)

Just as the natural world reawakens and flourishes in springtime, Eau Claire experiences a parallel blossoming in its arts and community engagement this time of year.

Kate Felton, owner of Eau Claire Outdoors (225 N. Barstow St.), offers immersive experiences where residents, visitors, friends, and strangers alike can explore avenues to connect with the diverse landscapes across the Chippewa Valley and forge stronger community bonds.

Inspired by a belief in the interconnectedness of the natural world and artistic landscapes, she initiated Poem Hike events within the community.

“In a time (within) our world when it's so hard to meet new people; I was really just heartened to know we are creating an opportunity for people to connect with each other,” Felton said.

With the support from a likely partner, the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild, the inaugural Poem Hike was held on Sept. 28 last year at the Town of Union Conservancy (Corner of White Pine Dr. and Deer Park Rd., Eau Claire).

"I am hoping that attendees will feel encouraged and empowered to be 'noticers' and get curious about whatever they experience on the hike."

JESSI PETERSON

POET, AUTHOR

Attendees experienced readings from local writers Max Garland, Amy Fleury, and Elan Mccallum in three distinct natural settings along a two-mile trail at the first event, Felton shared.

The first stop offered a scenic vista of a local river, where a poet shared their work beneath a tree. Venturing into a woodsy section of the trail, hikers experienced a surprising sense of remoteness. 

Max Garland, far left, shares excerpts from their written work around the campfire at the Union Conservancy. (Submitted photo)

The final reading occurred around a campfire at the end of the hike, with each poet having approximately ten minutes to share their poetry at their respective locations. This immersive outdoor setting, filled with natural sounds and sensations, enhanced their appreciation of the poetry, Felton said.

Kate Felton, pictured above, said Eau Claire Outdoors will embrace future collaborations with other businesses and organizations throughout Eau Claire. (Submitted photo)

“Experiencing nature — no matter whether you're in the city or in the woods — can be a really healing thing,” Felton said. “Nature is the universe's art; it’s like our muse as humans (for) our artwork. There's so much artwork that is inspired by nature.”

Event registration operates on a donation basis, allowing participants to contribute what they can. This supports Felton’s personal vocation to compensate the participating poets and artistic mediums altogether.

“I feel really strongly about paying artists for their time. It was cool to be able to just sort of perpetuate (this value) for poetry too; we pay for art, no matter what the art is,” Felton said.

Unexpectedly, the participating poets reciprocated Felton's generosity and contributed the collective $400 donations to The Guild's literary efforts and scholarship funds, indicating a continuing cycle of artistic support within the Eau Claire community.

Fast forward to today, the next Poem Hike will be once again hosted by Eau Claire Outdoors, on May 18 at the Union Conservancy. Local poets Dave Greschner, Jessi Peterson, and Ken Szymanski will join returning poet Mccallum to present their writing on the spring guided hike.

Much of Peterson’s writing has centered around the natural world and our place in it, she said. By sharing her poetry in nature, Peterson hopes to surround herself in an ideal environment for discovery and inspire both herself and her audience.

“I am hoping that attendees will feel encouraged and empowered to be ‘noticers’ and get curious about whatever they experience on the hike,” Peterson said. “Whether it be in the natural world, the written word, or the conjunction of the two.”

(The Union Conservancy) we're going to is such a hidden treasure that we have."

KATE FELTON

EVENT ORGANIZER, OWNER OF EAU CLAIRE OUTDOORS

A strong advocate of knowing your neighbors — whether they be animal, vegetable or mineral — Peterson will share excerpts with themes related to the botany of our local landscapes, noting “for me, it's a way to show respect for fellow travelers on our planet, learning their names and using them — it's a knowledge base that needs to be shared and passed on.”

Greschner, the author of Soul of the Outdoors, finds inspiration in the natural world and appreciates its capacity to inspire both awe and tranquility. He uses his surroundings as a catalyst for introspection through the written word. “I examine how even the slightest details in nature affect my moods and emotions, and how the natural world runs parallel to my seasons, my resolve, and my attempts to be balanced,” Greschner said.

Greschner will choose readings with an emphasis on childhood experiences in nature; how adults today can revisit these memories to find calm in an often hectic world, he shared.

“I (will) also explore how the balance and reoccurrence — displayed by the outdoors world and its inhabitants — can give us an order of assurance and something to look forward to,” Greschner said.

The first Poem Hike, held in September of 2024. (Submitted photo)

All ages, abilities, and walks of life are welcome on the Eau Claire Outdoors hikes, Felton said. Experiences like the Poem Hikes reinforce the strong partnerships between likely — and even unlikely — partners come together and make creative things happen, she said.

“(The Union Conservancy) we're going to is such a hidden treasure that we have,” Felton said. “(These hikes) are really just a time to get together and meet new people (and) explore what our local area has to offer as far as hiking and outdoor adventure.”

To register for the May 18 Poem Hike event, visit the Eau Claire Outdoors website online. The Chippewa Valley Writers Guild can be found online through their website and social media.