As a proud partner to the Wainwright Prize, we’re delighted to share the news of this year’s winners.
The Wainwright Prize is a celebration of nature writing and outdoor exploration across three categories: Nature Writing, Writing on Conservation, and Children’s Writing on Nature and Conservation.
This year’s winner of the Wainwright Prize for Writing on Conservation is Blue Machine: How Oceans Shape Our World by Helen Czerski. Blue Machine is a spectacular story of how our oceans shape our world, covering their impact on animals and weather through to human history and culture.
Alex Try, RSPB Director of Communications, who was a judge in the Conservation category explained: “ It’s an incredible book that highlights the importance of our oceans, from their impact on our climate and weather systems through to the wildlife and people that depend upon them.
“Here in the UK, we have globally important populations of seabirds, with Britain and Ireland holding most of the world’s nesting Manx Shearwaters, Gannets and Great Skuas. Yet many of our seabirds are struggling, with much-loved birds such as Puffins and Common Gulls on the UK Red List of highest conservation concern.
“At the RSPB we’re determined that our seabirds should thrive, and Blue Machine shines a light on our oceans’ complex, interlinked systems. That’s why we’re working for seabirds on all fronts, from campaigning to protect the food they rely on, through to restoring and protecting their breeding grounds.
“As well as being a fantastic read, Helen’s book is a timely reminder that to restore and protect the natural world, we need to work together across all areas to tackle the problems we face.”
The prize for Nature Writing was awarded to Late Light: The Secret Wonders of a Disappearing World by Michael Malay. In the book, Michael combines natural history with memoir in the story of his journey as an Indonesian Australian making a new home for himself in England.
The Children’s Writing on Nature prize was awarded to Foxlight by Katya Balen, a book which celebrates the exploration of nature as two twins follow a fox into the wilderness in an attempt to find their mother.
Now in its 11th year, the Wainwright Prize was set up to honour much-loved fell walker and writer Alfred Wainwright and reflects his values of celebrating nature and the environment, nurturing respect for our planet, and informing readers of the threats that the earth currently faces.
Alastair Giles, Director of the Wainwright Prize, said: "The Wainwright Prize feels ever more important as we confront the realities of a world in crisis, but as this year's winners prove, it's equally important to reflect on finding peace and connection with the natural world, and to inspire younger generations to become better environmental stewards than those before them."
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Helen Czerski’s Blue Machine joins Guy Shrubsole’s The Lost Rainforests of Britain, Isabella Tree’s Wilding, and the RSPB’s own Lee Schofield’s Wild Fell. These are all former Wainwright winners and shortlisted books that have helped advance the cause of nature restoration in the UK.
You can read more about the winning books and those shortlisted and longlisted here. Do take a look and why not treat yourself or a loved one to a book or a few books! We’re sure you’ll enjoy an inspiring read!
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