George the Poet releases a new poem written for Nextdoor Nature © The Wildlife Trusts
Poetry and film ignite Nextdoor Nature – a new nature legacy to mark the Queen’s Jubilee
George the Poet shines a light on new community rewilding projects led by The Wildlife Trusts and funded by The National Lottery
Today, George the Poet releases a new poem written for Nextdoor Nature – a ground-breaking community rewilding scheme which will be a natural legacy for the Queen’s Jubilee.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and delivered by The Wildlife Trusts, Nextdoor Nature will support around 200 new groups with 50 community organisers across the UK to re-introduce nature into local areas deprived of natural places to enjoy.
In Cumbria, we will work alongside include a cluster of primary schools in socio-economically disadvantaged or nature-deprived areas of Carlisle.
The poem – The Natural World – highlights how people can feel brighter and more at ease when they can tune into nature. It is performed and filmed on location across Manchester’s wilder quarters and it urges people to “celebrate nature in our everyday lives.”
Evidence shows that people are increasingly disconnected from nature, with profound consequences for health and it also means they are less likely to protect their natural heritage.
The poem explores George the Poet’s sense of being part of nature:
“…like the birds and bees.
Like the ferns, the seeds, the dirt, the trees.”
It ends:
“Let’s celebrate nature in our day to day,
At home, at work, in how we talk, how we think.
It starts with recognising we’re part of it all.
Nature’s reaching out. Let’s answer the call.”
George the Poet says:
“Linking up with The Wildlife Trusts for Nextdoor Nature reminded me that nature is all around us – it is us. Let’s stay tapped in with the natural world.”
Listen, watch and share the poem here.
A suite of five short films are also released today to celebrate some of the communities who will benefit from Nextdoor Nature and inspire others with the art of the possible. They feature local champions who are passionate about their neighbourhoods and have achieved great things. You can see these here.
Nextdoor Nature is funded by £5million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – it is part of The National Lottery’s £22million investment to mark the Jubilee.
Led by The Wildlife Trusts, the scheme will run over the next two years giving people the skills, tools, and opportunity to take action for nature. This could include establishing wild habitats and green corridors in areas of economic and nature deprivation, rewilding school grounds, or naturalising highly urbanised or unused areas. The pandemic has demonstrated just how important access to a well-cared for natural environment is to communities across the UK.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, says:
“Encouraging people to get involved in nature, is not only critical for the wellbeing of our planet, it is critical for the wellbeing of our communities. A community-created green oasis in areas where there are none will not only have a transformative effect on the lives of those involved, it will bring joy and sense of pride to many. Thanks to funding raised by players of The National Lottery, we are delighted to work in partnership with The Wildlife Trusts on Nextdoor Nature to create a wonderful natural legacy for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “We are very excited to receive funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, as it will allow us to do more work with local communities and enable more people to take action for nature. Thanks to this funding, we’ll help a group of schools in Carlisle to bring nature into everything they do throughout the school day. We’ll be building close connections with the schools, and strengthening the links between them and their local communities.
Stephen continued: “We know that people want to take action to improve their neighbourhoods but often it’s hard to know where to start. Nextdoor Nature will let communities set their own agenda about the environmental issues they want to tackle and we’ll be looking at different ways of bringing people together and giving them support, skills and confidence to take the next step. We’re looking forward to starting on this exciting project.”
You can find out more about Nextdoor Nature here.
Notes
George the Poet is a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage. His innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and a social commentator. georgethepoet.com
The Natural World – George the Poet
I am the natural world
It serves my needs, my words, my deeds
I’m a part of nature, like the birds and bees.
Like the ferns, the seeds, the dirt, the trees.
We complement each other perfectly,
Giving each other balance and certainty.
Just look around… there’s life everywhere.
The sky, the earth, the sea…
Ain’t it crazy how we’re connected?
Don’t you think it’s cool how we’re linked?
The one thing we’ve all got in common is Life.
Let’s not fall out of sync.
Let’s celebrate nature in our day to day,
At home, at work, in how we talk, how we think.
It starts with recognising we’re part of it all.
Nature’s reaching out. Let’s answer the call.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
As part of the National Lottery’s £22million investment to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, The National Lottery Heritage Fund is investing £7m to create a lasting legacy for communities and nature across the UK. The funding will empower disadvantaged communities to take action for nature on their doorsteps and enable 70 young people to undertake paid placements in the nature heritage sector. Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund #PlatinumJubilee