Join Sundog Poetry as we explore the necessary intersection between two vital workshops of the intellect and imagination: poetry and science. We live in a time of climate crisis and mass extinction, a time that is both impossible to comprehend and difficult to discuss.
It is with this in mind that we have gathered significant voices in the fields of environmental science and poetry, Alison Hawthorne Deming, John Elder, Jody Gladding, Jane Hirshfield, and Nalini Nadkarni, for an afternoon of critical conversation. (John Elder is replacing Bill McKibben, who had to drop out because of a scheduling conflict.) By bringing together poets and scientists, we will demonstrate how the humanities can help translate scientific understanding into cultural meaning and moral imperative. We need every tool at our disposal to face what we must face and continue a conversation that builds community and leads to meaningful action.
This event, held at the Champlain Room at Champlain College on Friday afternoon, October 3, 2025, will include a moderated panel discussion, a poetry and prose reading, and programming for student environmental groups and writing workshops. We aim to explore how the mutual powers of poetry and science can connect us to the environment, to our obligations to the earth and to the future. Please register in advance for this program.
Schedule of Events
1:00: Doors open
1:30-3:00: Poetry & Prose Readings by the headliners
3:00-4:00: Refreshments, Book Sales, Signings
4:00-5:30: Panel discussion by the headliners
5:30-6:00: Final call for book sales and signings
About Sundog Poetry
Sundog Poetry’s mission is to promote poetry for the enrichment of our cultural lives: to support Vermont poets in their development through workshops, readings, and publication; and to cultivate in Vermont audiences of all ages a love and appreciation of this art through a variety of poetry programming. Learn more about this organization and other events on their website here.
About the Fall Festival 2025
Our Vermont Reads 2025 book, The Light Pirate, raises the question of how we choose to adapt and grow after experiencing climate related crisis and trauma. In a flooding world, Wanda finds solace and hope in building community.
For this year’s Fall Festival, we want to highlight similar stories of hope as Vermont cities, towns, and villages face interrelated, complex problems such as climate change and the housing crisis.
Banner Photo by Anthony Quintano, Wikimedia Commons
Please contact us at info@vermonthumanities.org for information on disability services. To request a specific accommodation, contact us at least three weeks prior to the event. Vermont Humanities strives to provide accommodations whenever possible. All event locations are ADA accessible.
