Unveiling the Understory
Walk with us into the hidden heart of the forest with the 2025 Poem Forest theme: Understory.
Beneath every forest floor lies another world— of roots, secrets, and stories. This year, Poem Forest explores the vibrant life in the undergrowth — the often unseen world teeming with life beneath the canopy.
Poem Forest calls on you to share poems that celebrate and illuminate the many layers of the understory, and for every poem, help us plant a tree, nurturing these vital ecosystems for generations to come. Let’s bring the hidden wonders of the understory to light, planting a future where every creature, big and small, finds its voice.
About the Understory
The 2025 Poem Forest theme calls upon students and teachers to illuminate the stories that thrive in the shadows.
Slow down, listen deeply, and give voice to the vibrant life beneath the forest canopy — from fungi and insects to roots, memory, and quiet growth. We want you to pay witness to the secret burrows of small mammals, and to learn about the delicate balance of ecological connections and caring for Country practices.
Elements of the Understory
The forest understory is a vital layer within a forest ecosystem, and it encompasses a diverse range of elements. Take a look at some of the various layers of the Understory:
Plants includes shrubs, small trees, vines, and saplings of canopy trees. It also includes herbaceous plants like ferns, wildflowers, and grasses.
Many of these plants are adapted to low-light conditions, as they grow beneath the canopy.
The understory provides habitat for a wide variety of animals, including insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals.These animals rely on the understory for food, shelter, and nesting sites.
The understory plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and soil health. It facilitates interactions between different species, such as pollination and seed dispersal. It also contributes to the overall biodiversity of the forest.
The understory is characterised by lower light levels, higher humidity, and more stable temperatures compared to the canopy. These conditions create a unique microclimate that supports specific types of plants and animals.
Looking for more information on the theme? Download our 2025 Poem Forest Learning Resource to find out more.
Poem Forest is a free nature writing program and prize that breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us. Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with Wollongong City Council, Poem Forest invites students and teachers to use their words to make positive climate action. For every nature poem received, a tree is planted to help heal habitats and create a Poem Forest for future generations. Since 2021, over 22,800 poem trees have been planted.