Nowadays, it is easy to feel disconnected from nature. We can go for days or even weeks without coming into contact with wildlife at all. But we need nature to survive. And it needs us, now more than ever.

Did you know that around 40% of bird species have declining populations? Issues such as habitat degradation, disturbance and pollution are driving many of the birds that live in Britain to extinction. Tetney Marshes, an RSPB reserve on the Northeast coast, is one of the remaining pockets of land able to support so many of our native bird species.

Climate change is a scary truth. The reality of it is overwhelming, distant and incredibly complicated. But the first step to action is education and empowerment. Poetry and art are valuable tools for environmental education, and can help people to confront these distant issues. This project seeks to inspire people living around Tetney Marshes to explore nature and reconnect with their local wildlife through education and creative expression.

I hope this project will encourage people to:

CREATE artwork and poetry inspired by the wildlife found at Tetney Marshes

CONNECT with nature through reading and analysing poetry and stop-motion animations incorporating poetry and environmental science

EXPLORE the natural world and raise awareness for the challenges faced by the wildlife at Tetney Marshes