POEM FOREST Winners Announcement – Nature Poetry Prize

Seeing such writing talent, sensitivity and passion in the next generation helps me feel hopeful about the future of our planet and our relationship to the natural world. ~ Holly Ringland, POEM FOREST Judge

After reading over 5,000 nature poems spanning seasons, endangered snakes and spells to grow a tree, Red Room Poetry and the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan invite you to help us celebrate the 2021 POEM FOREST Prize Winners!

This live event features the announcement of winners and highly commended poems across our seven prize categories, plus guest poets and nature poem readings, giveaways, judges notes, an update from the POEM FOREST seedlings at the garden and more. 

Our 108 outstanding shortlisted poets are in the running for $5,000 worth of prizes including $500 cash for each category, book packs from Magabala Books, book vouchers from Copyright Agency, Garden tours, seeds and a special Threatened Species Prize.

Prize Categories:

• Lower primary (F–Year 3)
• Upper primary (Years 4–6)
• Lower secondary (Years 7–9)
• Upper secondary (Years 10–12)
• Threatened Species (F–12)
• Accredited Teacher (All ages)
• Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Local Prize (F–12)

Judges: The 2021 POEM FOREST Prize winners are carefully selected by our wonderful judging panel comprising author of Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe, internationally best-selling author, Holly Ringland, conservation scientist Dr Cathy Offord and award-winning poet Solli Raphael . 

About POEM FOREST: POEM FOREST is a free nature writing prize where words make positive climate action. Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with The Australian Botanic Garden, POEM FOREST deepens our connection and breathes life back into the world that sustains us. For every nature poem received a tree is planted to help heal endangered habitats. Proudly supported by John B. Fairfax AO, Principal Patron of POEM FOREST and other generous partners.