Poem Forest
Poem Forest is an eco-poetry project that invites students, teachers, and communities to become environmental advocates through connecting with local ecology and the creative power of poetry.
Inspired by Red Room Poetry’s successful Poem Forest in Australia, the project blends nature poetry and tree planting initiatives. The curriculum connects young writers (ages 8-18) with nature poetry as they study local ecology and review natural sciences. The classwork culminates in poetry performances that coincide with community tree plantings on school and/or public property.
Young writers witness their words take root. They see their ideas blossom from page to forest through local tree plantings and public readings. This project empowers them to find their voices, share their environmental concerns, and actively participate in climate action with tangible results that heal habitats and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
Poem Forest Toolkit
The Poem Forest Toolkit offers a rich collection of activities designed to spark creativity and environmental awareness through poetry. The toolkit is also a great arts integration opportunity to activate the Turnaround Arts Learning Framework in your classroom. It includes centering exercises to focus the group's energy, playful pivots for quick creative breaks, and writing prompts to inspire nature-themed poems. Additionally, it provides ecology topics for research and discussion, poetry elements to enhance writing skills, and eco-poems to read and analyze. The toolkit also supplies tips for revising and improving poems, encouraging students to connect with nature, express their ecological concerns, and become active stewards of the planet.
The Poem Forest Card Deck, a hands-on version of the toolkit, will be available Fall of 2025.
Toolkit Preview
*Tip: Use the arrows at the bottom to navigate through the booklet.
Download the Poem Forest Toolkit at the bottom of the page.
Download the Toolkit
Learn how to activate the Turnaround Arts Learning Framework in your classroom through the Poem Forest arts integration project.