What is ecopoetry?
Ecopoetry is term characterizing poems that identify features of natural imagery, discuss place and/or a poet's connection to the environment, a philosophical position on the environment, or a combination of all of these.
Ecopoetry's roots in ecocriticism
In the field of academics, ecopoetics is a category within the reading practice of ecocriticism. Ecocriticism is a reading perspective which seeks to understand how an author expresses their relationship with nature and why. Underlying an ecocritical analysis is a fundamental assumption about the interdependence of humans and natural systems. If Cultural artifacts (prose, poetry, visual art) accurately capture artistic attitudes, then examining how they express ecocritical concerns is necessary for investigating regional culture. As a pillar of human culture, poetry is an artifact with an exceptional and unique capacity to explore the individual's attachment to a bioregion.
Why use a place-based ecopoetic lens for mapping Washington?
Washington's extreme diversity of ecology and landscapes is a defining feature of the state. This makes connection to place an important and varied part of inspiration for poets, no matter what region of the state they come from or are writing about. Comparing place-based poetry across Washington shows the multitude of ways that poets express connection with their surrounding environment and locations.
Our project aims to address two tenants of ecopoetry - natural imagery and poet-environment connection - through the mapping of and commentary on poems that specifically name Washington state locations. As Washington residents ourselves, we strive to compile a comprehensive archive of poems with an immediate visual representation of the place that inspired them.
Our project aims to address two tenants of ecopoetry - natural imagery and poet-environment connection - through the mapping of and commentary on poems that specifically name Washington state locations. As Washington residents ourselves, we strive to compile a comprehensive archive of poems with an immediate visual representation of the place that inspired them.
The future of ecopoetry
Ecopoetry is not limited to the superficial appreciation of nature; it plays a political, philosophical, and even ideological role. Admiration of poetry promotes introspection, inspiration, and emotion. As modern environmental crises induced by humans become more prevalent, ecopoetry may be a tool for helping people to find their role in conservation movements and actions through their own connection to landscapes and places.