After last year's fantastic entries, Young Nature Blogger 2021 is now open to contributions from anyone aged 21 or under. This is a fabulous opportunity for all young people who have a love of nature, the outdoors and writing!

Entrants should write up to 500 words about Manx nature and send it to Biosphere@gov.im accompanied by the entrant’s name and age, and a contact email address and phone number. They can also accompany their piece of writing with their own photos and/or drawings, if they wish to add these. (photos should be at least 1MB and not more than 5MB sent as an additional attachment)

The challenge closes on 12th August 2021 and entires will be judged by Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, Leigh Morris, CEO of Manx Wildlife Trust, and Richard Butt, Editor of Isle of Man Newspapers.

Winners will receive Manx Wildlife Trust goodie bags and their blogs will feature in Isle of Man Newspapers’ titles and on its website, as well as in MWT’s Manx Nature magazine.

Minister Boot said: ‘We are so lucky to live in a UNESCO Biosphere. Being out in, connecting with and noticing nature in our Biosphere is good for wellbeing and we encourage young writers to explore this summer and share their unique observations with us.’

Leigh Morris said: ‘We hope Young Nature Blogger 2021 inspires young people to engage with our wonderful Manx nature, be amazed at the diversity we have, and learn why it’s so important that we all nurture and care for it so that it remains wonderful for generations to come.’

Richard Butt said: ‘I look forward to publishing the work of some fresh new writing talent, in celebration of Manx nature.’

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme promotes conservation, learning and sustainable development.

This year, four other UK and Ireland UNESCO Biospheres are joining UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and running Young Nature Blogger 2021.

The first prize winners from the Isle of Man and from each participating Biosphere will be judged for an overall UK and Ireland Biosphere prize.

The Man and the Biosphere Programme celebrates its half century in 2021 and Young Nature Blogger 2021 is accredited as an official 50^th anniversary event.