It’s a joy to be working on Natural Wonder this year to accompany the creation of a new series of poems inspiring connection to the natural world funded by Arts Council England.
I’m writing poems inspired by the natural world, biodiversity and connection to nature with educational and wellbeing resources to help people, schools, communities and families connect to the natural world. From eels, to birdsong and stars – these are all poems that I’ll be calling for engagement from people to help shape.
The seed grew for the series while working on a public poetry commission in 2020 by Norfolk County Council, ‘Dreaming of Albion, Sailing with Maud‘, being installed in public space in Great Yarmouth later this year – it’s wonderful to be able to really expand on the work. The support will also help expand on work in North Norfolk funded by North Norfolk District Council working in communities to celebrate our connection to nature, where I’ve recently been writing new work inspired by the landscape there – finally, now restrictions have lifted! A trail across North Norfolk celebrating our connection to the natural world is also being created there inspired by discussion and literary interventions with residents.
There’s free training for educators available as part of the programme, both online as a webinar available to educators based all over the world later this year in November, plus in person for schools and educators in the East of England at the National Centre for Writing in Spring 2022. Thanks to funding administered by National Geographic Education am also creating resources to help make their explorer mindset accessible to primary aged children, with a creative writing and literature focus. Thanks to Arts Council England, children and families can gain a John Muir Family Award and a Discover Art Award through taking part, too.
Families can connect to nature with me at Cary’s Meadow in the Broads National Park in Norfolk from this July, with Nature Explorers restarting – full dates being released soon. There’s also the chance for adults to write with me as part of the Waveney and Blythe Arts Two Rivers Festival on a walk and outdoor workshop this Autumn. Plus loads more going on. You can see more updates on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/naturalwonderuk.
For more information on the project and to sign up to the mailing list – please visit: