Join us in February – March, 2026 (dates tbd) on an environmental writing program that explores the concept of nature’s rights—its application, success, and limitations—as a solution to the climate crisis. With publication opportunities for all participants! Details below.
Nature has rights: to exist, thrive and regenerate. In 2008, Ecuador famously recognized these rights in its constitution, becoming the first country in the world to so. Yet in much of the world, including Ecuador, these rights are not respected. They are routinely ignored and abused for profit. Radical change is overdue. You can be part of that change.
Writes of Nature raises awareness for nature’s rights through lectures, publications, and experiential learning programs.
On Writes of Nature: Ecuador, you’ll explore the concept of nature’s rights as a potential solution to the climate crisis. Learn what this means for the country of Ecuador and for your own community. Engage with other writers, attend lectures from experts, and write your way across one of the most biodiverse countries on earth.
Program Leaders
Laura Hitt is a writer and ecology enthusiast based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Environment from Iowa State University. Her nonfiction, fiction, and poetry have appeared in the Santa Fe Reporter, Alligator Juniper, Slush Pile, Plain China, Adventure Scientists blog, and the National Geographic Voices blog. She enjoys birding, podcasts, and traveling. www.lauragracehitt.com
Sandra Morocho is an Associate researcher at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences in Ecuador (FLACSO), Ecuador, and a professional naturalist guide. She founded the Quijos Valley Birdwatchers Collective, which advocates for sustainable alternatives to generate income and preserve forests, and leads the Quijos Valley Reforestation Project, dedicated to conserving Ecuador’s diverse bird habitats.
Marley Stuart is co-founder and Executive Director of EcoStudio Foundation, Editor of River Glass Books, and Assistant Editor of Louisiana Literature. Since 2021, he has designed and directed educational programs for over 400 students, scientists, artists, and life-long learners. A graduate of the Bennington Writing Seminars, his work has appeared in Speak the Magazine, Permafrost, The Chattahoochee Review, and elsewhere.
Lecturers include writer and artist Edie Dillon, whose chapbook Pulling Together in Rising Waters: Reciprocity as Practice launched the Writes of Nature chapbook series by River Glass Books in 2025.
Fees & Dates
$1,950 per person – Early Bird Rate for registration before or on August 1, 2025
$2,200 per person – Standard Rate for registration after August 1, 2025
$500 unrecoverable deposit per person due upon registration
The balance of program fees is due on November 1, 2025 or upon registration, whichever is later.
Fees Include lodging, meals, in-country travel, and academic, cultural, and nature activities. One airport transfer is included.
Fees Do Not Include the following required out-of-pocket expenses:
• International airline tickets
• Transportation to Casa Foch from Quito’s airport upon arrival (taxis are appx. $25)
• Room and board outside program start and end dates
• Up to four (4) meals during the program
• $60-$100 cash for gratuities
Please Note:
Dates tbd: We’re still setting the final dates for this program. Please get in touch if you have questions or would like more information.
Accommodations: Please note that only double accommodations (two people per room) are available at this time; you will have a roommate. Register with a roommate, arrange for a friend to sign up, or we’ll help pair you with a roommate. Alternatively, single supplements may be available for an extra fee. Contact us if you’d like to request a single supplement.
Passport: Ecuador requires that your passport is valid for at least six (6) months upon your arrival in order to enter the country. If you need to apply for or renew a passport, we suggest doing so as early as possible.
Insurance: The program may be modified or canceled at any time due to unforeseen circumstances. Program fees do not include travel insurance, medical insurance, or evacuation insurance. It is the participant’s responsibility to purchase insurance at their own discretion. While not a requirement, insurance can provide peace of mind when preparing for a program abroad.
International Flights: Nearly all international arrivals to Quito’s airport (UIO) land late at night—an hour or two before or after midnight. Your departure flight will also likely leave late at night or early in the morning. Take extra care when booking your tickets to ensure they are on the days you intend. We’re happy to provide suggestions regarding international flights and lodging around your arrival and departure. If you’re interested in staying longer in Ecuador, you can arrange your arrival and departure to fit your schedule.
Cahuasquí Writing Retreat: Want to stay in Ecuador after the program and focus on your craft in a beautiful remote village? Consider adding a 3- 5- or 7- day writing retreat in Cahuasquí, a sustainable farming community in the northern highlands. Also known as the Island in the Sky, Cahuasquí is an astounding place of natural beauty, an epicenter of resistance to the extractive industry, and the perfect place to write and relax after the intensive Writes of Nature program. On the retreat, additional publication opportunities, manuscript review, and masterclasses may be available. Or, take the time to simply unplug and focus on your work.
Activities and Accessibility: Planned activities include easy to moderate hikes in remote sites of varying altitude and conditions, as well as boat rides and optional snorkeling. Unfortunately, not all forms of transportation or sites visited on this program are fully ADA compliant. EcoStudio Foundation is committed to creating educational experiences that are accessible to all, and our team is working with on-site partners to upgrade facilities and develop more inclusive activities. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns regarding accessibility.