image: View from Great Bear Lodge, host accommodation for the 2026 Nature Writing Retreat and Workshop.
Credit: Photo: Lesley Evans Ogden
The Great Bear Nature Writing Retreat January, 2026
Great Bear Rainforest, BC. The Great Bear Lodge on the Central Coast of British Columbia is collaborating with internationally acclaimed science journalist Lesley Evans Ogden to host a nature writing retreat from May 31 - June 4, 2026.
Located in the remote and beautiful Smith Inlet, on the traditional lands of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation, aspiring nature writers will enjoy the comforts of the exclusive and remote lodge while enjoying a unique opportunity to hone their writing skills in a spectacular wild environment.
Situated at the heart of one of the world’s most intact habitats for grizzly bears, the floating lodge is the perfect location to inspire ideas and let creativity flow. The cozy, timber-clad lodge will provide a comfortable base for guests with gourmet meals and dawn and dusk wildlife tours.
Lesley Evans Ogden will lead daily writing, coaching and feedback sessions. A small group size of no more than nine people will ensure that each participant benefits from individual focus and support, allowing for skill development to be tailored to the needs of a range of abilities from aspiring and hobbyist writers to experienced storytellers, scientists and communicators wishing to deepen and expand their craft. Participants can also sign up for optional post-workshop one-on-one coaching with the instructor.
Lesley’s nature writing, photography and documentary work has been published and broadcast by outlets including the New York Times, CBC, BBC, Arte, Scientific American, New Scientist, Science, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Smithsonian, New Scientist and Nature.
The award-winning writer is also an experienced workshop facilitator and has previously designed and led a number of highly regarded workshops for educational institutions and professional organizations across Canada, the US and most recently South Africa.
The Nature Writing Workshop, which runs from May 31 - June 4, 2026, costs $5,000 (CAN). The price includes daily instruction plus three nights at the Great Bear Lodge with ensuite accommodation, gourmet meals and beverages, wildlife tours, all weather gear, seaplane flights, plus one overnight hotel stay in Port Hardy.
For full details, go to: www.lesleyevansogden.com/naturewritinggbr
Or contact: lesley@oggies.net / WhatsApp: +1-604-788-3523.
Registration deadline: February 1, 2026 (by noon Pacific Time)