Team

Founder and Director

Lis McLoughlin holds a BS in Civil Engineering, an MEd in Education, and a PhD in Science and Technology Studies. Her published works include academic articles, poems, personal essays, a stage performance; and book chapters. Lis is founder and director of NatureCulture and Writing the Land. She publishes anthologies and other books, produces the annual Authors and Artists festival as well as various poetry readings, book launches, workshops on writing with the land, and other events. She lives off-grid in Northfield, Massachusetts and part-time in Montréal, Québec.

Technical Advisor

Elizabeth M. Burton-Crow, PhD grew up exploring the forests of the Sierra Nevada foothills alongside her feathered and four-legged kin. A profound love for Nature led her to study the field of Ecopsychology, culminating in a doctoral dissertation focusing upon the influence of captivity upon the psyches of parrots and poultry. Today, Elizabeth’s work strives to expand the frontiers of Ecopsychology by illuminating the often-unconscious forces underlying cross-species relationships through the integration of ethics, art, and science. Today she is rooted in the Pacific Northwest, with extended family including donkeys, dogs, llamas, chickens, goats, rabbits, and parrots.

Webweaver

Jasra Holsberg uses her BS in Computer Science and her creativity to pick apart tangled problems, and invent new creations in the digital and physical worlds. She has used her considerable design talents for such diverse projects as Arisia Corporate and Convention sites, role-playing worlds, Writing the Land, NatureCulture, and knitting hats for soup kitchens and shelters.

Jasra lives in Reading, MA with her people and 2 cats. They have a greenhouse, plus lots of container gardens which provide food and flowers for our enjoyment. The kittens arrived on 10/30, right before Halloween, and have been a delight every day!

Poetry Editorial Advisor

David Crews is a writer and editor who currently resides at the edge of the Hoosic river watershed in southern Vermont, ancestral land of Muheconneok and western Abenaki peoples. He cares for work that explores wild(er)ness, preservation, land and place, and also serves as a board member with The Waterman Fund. He is author of Incantation, a limited-edition handmade chapbook designed and produced by Josh Dannin of Directangle Press (2022), Wander-Thrush: Lyric Essays of the Adirondacks (Ra Press, 2018), and High Peaks (Ra Press, 2015)—a poetry collection that catalogs his hiking of the “Adirondack 46ers” in upstate New York. Find David and his work at davidcrewspoetry.com

NatureCulture Intern

If there is ever one thing to know about me is that I love to draw and write. I enjoy writing and drawing stories of characters that I would like to see in a Hanna/Barbera cartoon. For example, I created an animation of police frogs from the 80’s. Something about the cartoons of the 80’s and 90’s that captures my attention to the point where I want to emulate the art style and tropes. The art style was playful. The stories were simple and lighthearted. I can go on forever about my love for animation and the artistic approach of the 80’s/90’s cartoons. If only time machines existed, right?

Writing the Land Intern

Jesse Kabongo is attending Baruch College with a major in Finance and a Minor in Theater. His passion is the arts, and everything that has to do with it. Drama, writing, painting, music, etc. He has written short films with Reelworks that have been premiered and shown in festivals, and companies such as Harbor Pictures, and Paramount. Jesse is a ReelWorks youth Ambassador, allowing young filmmakers to gain opportunities and have their voice heard. He’s supported ReelWorks with their Gala, their Warner Bros day, their documentary screening, and many other events during the year. He has also done externships for PWC, and Accenture. 

Writing the Land Intern

Hello! I'm Everest, I'm originally from Miami, but I go to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. I'm studying English Non-Fiction. I'm really passionate about nature writing and health/healthcare journalism. I also love to write, bake, and hike. After school, I plan to pursue a master's in science writing or science communication.

Videographer

Jesus Luna is a videographer from New York City. Growing up in the city led to his discovery and love for film. Starting out by making documentaries at Reel Works, Jesus quickly began pursuing careers in media. Interning at Condé Nast allowed Jesus to discover the technical aspects of the magazine industry. Using his combined experience from the world of media and film Jesus has worked on various independent film productions. Absorbing different skills from his time on set Jesus has helped direct, shoot, and edit multiple videos. Today Jesus works on video editing and continues to pursue his passion for digital arts and film with Writing The Land.

Video and Graphics

Patsy Castillo is a freelance artist, first-generation college student, and night owl working towards her BFA. At 15 years old, she knew she wanted to be an artist. Though one of her parents did not support it, she followed her heart… and maybe a bit of teenage rebellion. Over the years she has pursued many creative ventures such as baking, photography, painting, animation, drawing, and crochet. Patsy enjoys spending time with her family, creating amigurumi, and learning new skills. She also loves to photograph nature and trips to the craft store! She aspires to one day own a beautiful home for her family and open a small shop to sell her handmade items. Patsy resides in New York City with her husband and 4 children. You can find her work at patsycastle.com

Videography Intern

Robbie Atienza is a film student with a passion for cinema, creative writing, and learning. He intends to graduate from LaGuardia Community College with an AA in film and television and then transfer to Hunter College to pursue a BA in film & media. He hopes to become a video editor and is excited to collaborate with others and continue building his skills.

Videography Intern

-Attending Hunter College for a BA in Media Studies
-Loves art and creative writing
-Lives in NYC but from a smaller city upstate New York called Middletown
-Plays on college softball team

Authors & Artists Festival Outreach Intern

My name is Abelard Lormond and I am currently majoring in English at Queens College. When I graduate from this school, I will go on to pursue my Master’s in Psychology. With my Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and my Master’s Degree, I will be an author who writes novels and essays that encourage individuals to strive for what they truly want in life and I will be a therapist.

Writing the Land Intern

Hannah Podol is an undergraduate student at Wesleyan University pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. Hannah is from Boston, Massachusetts, and in her free time she enjoys hiking, swimming, reading, and creative writing. She is excited to learn more about beneficial connections with land and food justice through her work on this team!

Created by Martin Bridge