In the populated forest of literary magazines at the University of Iowa, a new literary magazine has taken root in the form of Tree Hugger. With an appreciation and emphasis on nature and the environment, Tree Hugger has grown apart from other literary magazines by offering a publication dedicated to an often underrepresented genre in the field: environmental writing.
The UI is well-known for its writing program, offering a diverse range of creative writing classes across numerous disciplines and genres. However, the topic of environmental writing was nowhere to be found — something Tree Hugger founder Claire Landmesser, a third-year UI student and avid nature enthusiast, took note of.
“At Iowa State, they have an environmental writing program, and it’s the only writing program Iowa State has that we don’t have here,” Landmesser said. “I feel like that’s a really important intersection across disciplinary thing to have, and I wanted to bring it here.”
Spearheading a campaign of ecological awareness and respect for nature, Tree Hugger has become the first creative outlet on campus to highlight and appreciate environmental writing.
Either with a direct focus on the human relationship with nature or including themes of sustainability, conservation, or admiration toward nature, environmental writing blends creativity and science.
“We envelop two, too often separate, worlds — sciences and the arts — and unite them under one mission: protecting our natural world.” Kathryn Schultz, nonfiction editor of Tree Hugger, said. “The community we get to bring together is precious, welcoming, fierce, and strong.”
While environmental writing may sound daunting to some, Tree Hugger interprets the guidelines of the genre loosely and encourages stretching the boundaries of environmental writing.
In their submissions, Tree Hugger seeks writing of all capacities as long as the cultivation of awareness or appreciation of nature is evident in some regard.
Claire Landmasser, Lula Crews, and Anna Fox pose for a staff photo in the greenhouse as part of Treehugger Magazine on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Treehugger is a new magazine on the University of Iowa campus dedicated to environmental writing. Landmasses, Crews, and Fox are founder, creative director, and managing editor of the magazine. (Ava Neumaier / The Daily Iowan) (Ava Neumaier)
“It doesn’t have to be specifically, ‘I love the environment, and I’m an advocate, and this is why you should love the environment,’” Landmesser said. “It can be a piece that involves environmental aspects and has a subtle appreciation or noticing of the environment, and can be from all different types of areas.”
In its submission forms, Tree Hugger accepts poetry, nonfiction, journalism, fiction, and art. Besides being centered around the environment, Tree Hugger only asks for the submitted piece to be less than 3,000 words in length.
Tree Hugger is finalizing the first edition of their literary magazine for publication and distribution to readers. Tree Hugger is accepting submissions for its second edition. Information regarding submissions, future events, and publication dates can be found on either their website or their newly created Instagram page.
Tree Hugger publishes two editions of its literary magazine each year, with one edition released per semester. In the fashion of environmentalism, Tree Hugger is currently looking into the most sustainable way for its publication to be distributed, including researching the most environmentally friendly papers and print shops in the area.
“We decided not to publish in print for the Fall 2025 semester, and it’s taking us some time to do so for the spring, because we’ve decided to go a pro-sustainability route,” Anna Fox, managing editor of Tree Hugger, said. “Ethical sourcing and recyclable paper are two of our biggest focal points for this. I think this speaks to a broader philosophy on our part that in order to talk the talk, we must also walk the walk.”
Tree Hugger not only publishes their literary magazine but hosts several events as well throughout the semester. From events centered around cleaning up the community and picking up trash to poetry readings at the local greenhouse, Tree Hugger grows its popularity by cultivating loyal, like-minded members and bringing efficacious change to the community.
“The main point of these events is just to get people to hear about us and to really engage with the community,” Landmesser said. “I feel like a big part of caring about the environment is the community aspect of it.”