To some people, nature is but a mere obstruction to humanity’s progress, what with the protests, the activists, the lobbyists, ectc. But to others, nature provides a constant comfort, a lifeboat in a sea of uncertainty. However mysterious it may seem, the very aspect of nature itself gives us the opportunity to take a step back, and see how big the world truly is. From our many national parks, to the Seven Wonders of the World, to the vast oceans, to even the tiniest of puddles that are left forgotten on a summer day, it’s these wonders that allow us to contemplate the beauties of life itself.

Everyone sees it, as do, of course, writers. We try again and again to capture the essence of this beauty. We attempt to paint the illustrious scenes with our own words, to minimize our presence, to delve into the majesty of Earth. From Henry David Thoreau’s Leaves of Grass, to Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, there’s no doubt that there is beauty hidden within the environment. Whether they be scientists, or artists, or philosophers, no one can ignore nature for very long. 

So why? Why should we take the time to write about such a thing? After all, isn’t the environment always going to be there? A tree is a tree, a leaf is a leaf, and a bug is a bug; humans are supposed to dominate them all, right? What’s so special about it? Not necessarily. Below are just two reasons why you should consider nature writing.

The Fascination: Nature is the epitome of life. It supports plants, animals, and even humans, though we’ve sometimes (mostly) been nothing but a burden. Every day, we see the smallest of ecosystems working to survive, to even thrive, and we can’t help but be fascinated. Think of the ant colony in Hokkaidō, Japan, where approximately 306 million worker ants live in an underground passage of over 670 acres, or even the Blue Whale, which is approximately 98 feet long. There are so many extraordinary facts about Earth that we ourselves don’t know about yet, so many topics to write about that we’ve only just started to scratch the surface.

The Beauty: Think of the tiny waterfalls in Colorado, or even the skyline of the Appalachian Mountains. The Keukenhof Park in The Netherlands, or the salt flats in Bolivia; each and every wonder brings about a whole new appreciation for nature. The scenery alone provides you with a philosophical understanding of what good and evil could be, the concept of religion, the meaning of life, or whatever it is you’re thinking about. It forces you to ponder humanity’s existence, which adds to the quality of both fiction, art, science, even religion.

As writers, we draw from our experiences, our imaginations, after all, it has to come from somewhere. Nature provides an excellent muse for us, whether it be its fascination, or its beauty. Different artists from all kinds of genres fall in love with Mother Earth and, in doing so, we can’t help but celebrate it.