Earth Day

Today marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. This month will also mark the 5th anniversary of Poem Forest.

Earth Day is dedicated to “raising awareness and taking action on critically important environmental issues.” It’s a movement that advocates for the health of our planet — from airways to soil, from wildlife to human health.

This Earth Day we remain committed to making positive climate action, as we prepare to launch Poem Forest 2025 – the youth nature writing prize that plants a tree for every poem received. Since 2021 over 22,100 poem trees have been planted, improving climate resilience, providing habitats for native flora and fauna, and helping to grow a better future.

We're also reflecting on poetry that honours the deep knowledge of First Nations communities. Caring for Country means protecting the living systems that sustain us — from forest floors to riverbeds, from ocean currents to the roots beneath our feet.

Growing a forest of poems

Tree planting is one of the simplest ways to tackle climate change in local areas. It can also be highly effective. As they grow, trees absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, helping to reduce the impacts of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Planting trees improves climate resilience, provides habitats for native flora and fauna, and helps grow a better future.

Poem Forest — the nationwide youth poetry prize that plants a tree for every poem received — turns words into tangible climate action. Since its inception, Poem Forest has planted more than 22,100 trees. That’s about 221,000kg of CO2 absorbed per year.

In 2025, poem forest will continue to grow in schoolyards and parks, along local streets and in Tiny Forests on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi country in the Wollongong LGA, which has some of the lowest canopy cover in all of NSW. As Poem Forest enters its fifth year, we remain dedicated to making positive climate action.

But Poem Forest is more than just planting trees. Poem Forest deepens young people’s connection to nature, inviting students to use their words and speak out about climate change. In many ways, Poem Forest is more than a competition: it’s a movement that unites the poetic prowess of young minds with environmental stewardship. Amidst this backdrop, Poem Forest acts as a breath of fresh air, empowering young people to use their words to take collective climate action.

Caring for Country

Caring for Country means protecting the living systems that sustain us — from forest floors to riverbeds, from ocean currents to the roots beneath our feet.

Baraya Barray reminds us that Country is not a resource—it is kin. Listening to Country is a form of care, and every act of protection is a form of love.

This Earth Day, we're sharing poetry that honours the deep knowledge First Nations communities hold about caring for land, sky, and water. Take a look at the selection below.