Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Officer

The RSPB encourages people around the world to get creative...

There is less than two weeks left to enter the first ever RSPB poetry competition and the interest so far has come from all around the globe. As Europe’s largest conservation charity we have been encouraging nature lovers and budding poets to wax lyrical about wildlife, enthuse about the environment and gush about green spaces in response to the competition theme, ‘Nature Poetry’. 

And the RSPB has been overwhelmed with how far some entries have come in from. So far, poems have been written in South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Australia and have all been inspired by nature in some way.

Matthew Howard, our Community Collections Scheme Officer says:  

“This competition is a real first for the RSPB.  We are running it in partnership with award-winning poetry publisher, The Rialto, which itself is a real privilegeWe are also thrilled to have former Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew Motion, and prize-winning nature writer, Mark Cocker as our judges.

“But, we didn’t anticipate such a level of global interest. It’s wonderful to read poems about how much nature has moved people. It certainly goes to show how much our planet is a rich natural well of inspiration. 

“There is still time for entries to be submitted though. The closing date is April 30 and there are some great prizes on offer.  Whether you are a professional writer, a keen amateur or are new to writing, we’d love to hear from you. 

“And as with the old adage ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’, this competition will help us to continue in our battle to save nature by raising funds for crucial conservation work nationally and abroad.”

Entrants have the chance to win cash prizes, publication in The Rialto and a personal tour with Mark Cocker of his most cherished wildlife places in East Anglia.

A small entry fee of £6 for the first poem and £3 for each subsequent poem will be charged. The closing date for entries is 30 April 2012.

For full rules and to enter please visit www.therialto.co.uk or contact Matt Howard on 01603 697515 or matthew.howard@rspb.org.uk for an entry form.

Other stuff you may want to know

  1. 1st Prize £1000            2nd Prize £400             3rd Prize £300
  2. The competition will be judged by former Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew Motion, and prize-winning nature writer, Mark Cocker.
  3. The completion is for adults only. For information on a future poetry competition for children, please go to http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/join_in/competitions/wildverse.aspx