Poems for International Day for Biological Diversity

Poem Forest is a free nature writing program and prize that breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us. With International Day for Biological Diversity just around the corner, we are highlighting nature poems written by Poem Forest commissioned poets, as well as students from all across the continent.

For more inspiration, join our free digital workshop with Blake Nuto for International Day for Biological Diversity on Thursday, 22 May. In this workshop, learn more about the Poem Forest theme of Understory and craft your own nature poems to submit to this years Prize. Entries are officially open for submissions now!

Primary Workshop
When: Thursday, 22 May at 10 am
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Secondary Workshop
When: Thursday, 22 May at 1 pm
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Poems to Inspire You

Am I Rebellion?

"When the flames tore through
there were shattered china plates
and fine blown glass in the soil.
And wild things cut their paws."

Blake Nuto, 2025 Poem Forest judge and commissioned poet, reflects on fire and human interaction with the understory in this poem.

Wild Pansy

"As a seed, I was shot out the back end of a blue jay
When she flew over the meadow.
She had swallowed me in my homeland, when she spied me lying easy under the sun - briefly."

Year 5 student Lance C was shortlisted for the 2023 Poem Forest prize with this creative poem that follows the journey of a seed.

I Can See The Green

"There’s magic in your mangled arms,
Rainbow in that oil slick, viridescence
in those algae blooms - ever unfurling
like organic swirls of smoke."

This stunning poem by Year 11 student Hattie B explores the complex relationship humans have with nature, and the paradox of destroying nature while being a constituent. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Poem Forest Prize.

Remembering Birds

"The constant chatter by the pond calms my nerves more than silence ever could. Cormorants sun themselves on the black rocks, outstretched feathers rendered silhouette; three pelicans glide in to land on the water."

Year 11 Student Rowan K took last year's Upper Secondary (Y10-Y12) Poem Forest Prize with this dreamy, stream-of-consciousness style, prose poem.

The Great Barrier Reef

"The pure white sand, as smooth as a plaque, conceal venomous stonefish, with spines on their backs. Small tropical fish, of all colours and shapes, drift unaware, as a Wobbegong waits."

Proving that not all threatened species poems have to be about single organisms, Year 6 student Rohin S won the 2022 Threatened Species Prize with their poem about the Great Barrier Reef, showcasing its immense diversity with vivid imagery.

The Red Goshawk

"Seas of russet wings,
Tiny gems against
The blue bite of Sky"

Year 6 student Mischka from Balmain Public School captures this rare bird of prey in striking imagery - their poem was shortlisted in 2022.

Feeling inspired?

Attend our free digital workshops on May 22 with Blake Nuto and explore the 2025 Poem Forest theme: Understory. In this workshop, Blake will guide students (F-12) through writing activities that explore the Poem Forest theme of Understory to help craft nature poems and enrich learning outcomes across sustainability, First Nations cultures & histories, English & Science.

Check out the full list of Poem Forest Entry Categories, Prizes and Judges here.

Image: Andrew Patrick, Blue Jay Perched on Evergreen Branch in Nature, Pexels.