Nature Poet Laureate

In the face of escalating environmental crises and growing awareness of the importance of nature in our cultural, mental, and physical wellbeing, we are establishing a Nature Poet Laureate for Nottingham with an associated community programme. 

Cara Thompson, Nottingham’s Nature Poet Laureate 

Cara was selected from a shortlist of seven incredible Nottingham-based poets: Jay Sandhu, Bridie Squires, Jaden Morton, Kate MacAlister, Bep Summerscales, Joshua Judson and Cara herself. The judging panel included Suzannah Evans, Ty’rone Haughton and Nottingham’s first Young Poet Laureate, Georgina Wilding.  

Cara Thompson is a writer, performer and artivist. Cara’s poetry has been featured and commissioned by Penguin Random House, Huffpost, Oxfam, the NHS Leadership Academy, UNESCO, Simon and Schuster and more. In 2021, Cara represented Nottingham and won Slamovision, the UNESCO Cities of Literature’s international slam poetry competition with her poem ‘Island Screams (Where Are You From)’. 

Read more about Cara on the announcement blog here. 

“It’s the absolute privilege of my lifetime to have been selected as Nottingham’s Nature Poet Laureate. Being Nottingham born and bred, this city’s community has given me so much, not only as a writer and a friend, but as a human being. If I can offer even a portion of that Midlands’ generosity back during my tenure, I’ll be one very happy poet.
One of the main things I hope to achieve during my time as Nature Poet Laureate is to challenge what many people may initially expect a ‘Nature Poet Laureate’ to be. For many people, ‘nature poetry’ may feel like something that’s too inaccessible, too far removed from our hectic lives, and maybe even too intimidating to give a try. However, I believe that both nature and poetry have enough room to offer something to everyone: a space to share and connect. Despite all of our differences and individualities, there is no greater common ground than the ground we all stand on. 

Cara’s activity

Find our more about the creative projects Cara is involved in. 

Literature, City, Nature

 

Wasafiri writer in residence – Cara Thompson

Cara delivering a writing workshop at Attenborough Nature reserve

Cara has been invited to speak at Vilnius, City of Literature conference: Literature, City and Nature. Find out more. Cara has been announced as Wasfiri’s writer in residence. Watch this space for her creative outputs. Find out more. Cara led a workshop for Writing East Midland’s Solstice Nature prize, to inspire young people to get creative from nature prompts. 

Work with us

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in being involved in the Nature Poet Laureate project. Get in touch here. 

Related project pages...
Connect with the Nature Poet Laureate Programme
Nature Poet Laureate Programme Vision
Nature Poet Laureate applications