Are you a nature enthusiast, an aspiring writer or do you simply want to share a story about a place that means the world to you, then this competition is your perfect summer challenge!
Now open until September 24th, the Young Nature Blogger Competition invites anyone under 21 years of age to share their nature experience.
This can be a place, an activity in nature or your favourite animal. Entry is simple, blog style entries up to 500 words are accepted, you can add your own flair with photos and drawings too. Once completed send your piece to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before the closing date.
This event is part of an international celebration of nature, hosted in Kerry by the Kerry Biosphere Reserve. This competition is also taking place in Dublin Bay Biosphere, and the Isle of Man Biosphere.
The Kerry Competition will be judged across three age categories – under 12, 13-16 and 17 -21. Winning entries in each category will get to keep a piece of Killarney National Park with them forever as they receive a hand turned sculpture made from wood salvaged within the park. An overall winner will also be chosen, with entry going forward to compete against the top entries from the three other Biospheres.
The international competition will be judged by Dara McNulty, author of the book ‘Diary of a young Naturalist’. The book has won high-profile plaudits. It saw him named the youngest ever winner of The Wainright Prize for nature writing and, most recently, earned him British Book of the Year in the non-fiction (narrative) category, where it was shortlisted with titles by Sir David Attenborough, Barack Obama and Captain Tom Moore.
Dara, who is now 17 and lives in Northern Ireland, has appeared on BBC1 TV’s Countryfile and Springwatch programmes and his book was Radio 4’s Book of the Week. He has featured in national newspapers. His next book, ‘Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature’, will be published in July.
Wherever you are in Ireland this competition is for you, to enter the competition or to request more information: in the Kerry Biosphere Reserve, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., in Dublin Bay Biosphere, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Each Biosphere will award prizes in three age categories and an overall winner will be selected to be out forward to the international competition.
The three Biospheres’ overall winner will receive a nature experience in their Biosphere and a signed copy of ‘Diary of a Young Naturalist’ and matching notebook in which to record their blogs.
The UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme celebrates its half century this year and Young Nature Blogger 2021 is an accredited 50th anniversary event.
Closing date September 24th.
Email your entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
