The natural environment of this country -- our air, our water, and our creature life -- is going to be under such stress in the coming century that it has become imperative to grow a culture that connects our lived lives, our culture and cultural history to stewardship of the land.  The Bear River Writers' Conference is beautifully conceived to do just that.  If a culture is its traditions, this is a great one to nourish.

- Robert Hass, former US Poet Laureate
Winner of 2007 National Book Award for Poetry

The Bear River conference, which takes place in northern Michigan, connects the Ann Arbor campus with communities hundreds of miles away.  With the new initiative Michigan has taken in sponsoring Bear River, we are now reaching out to writers at all levels of experience and expertise.  The conference’s emphasis on creative writing and the environment is timely.  Its outreach to underserved communities in our state is in the best traditions of a great public university such as our own.  Based on the participation of writers with Michigan connections, as well as internationally known authors, Bear River is well on its way to becoming the premier literary gathering in the Great Lakes region.

- Mary Sue Coleman, President, University of Michigan