Young Nature Writers' work on Calf of Man

Winners and runners up in UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man’s Young Nature Writer 2023 competition have their entries displayed on the Calf of Man, to be enjoyed by visitors for the 2024 season.

The competition has been run annually by UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man in partnership with Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Ornithological Society and the Isle of Man Examiner. It sees young people under the age of 21 invited to submit a piece of writing about something they love in the natural world. It connects young people with nature and celebrates their creativity and our Biosphere.

This year the competition has been relaunched as Young Nature Champion with new partner LoveTech, to welcome video and audio entries as well as written, and is open to entries until 1 November 2024.

An overall winner, Kayleigh Cannon, and winner of the best bird entry, Delta Baptist, were selected by judges, along with four runners up, Austin Rogerson, Liam Cannon, Poppy Christian and River Kelly Brown, who all won fantastic prizes for their contributions. Read about the successful candidates here.

Shaun Murphy, Property Manager at Manx National Heritage, preparing to set sail                                                                              Breeshey Kermode from UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, accompanying the works aboard the Scraayl

For the first time, in 2024, the winner and runners’ up entries from the 2023 competition have been printed on display boards and this month, the weather finally allowed for them to make their voyage to the Calf of Man.

The Calf seemed like the perfect place for the entries to be displayed and enjoyed, especially as Delta's entry was ‘Come to the Calf!’

The boards set sail from Port St Mary aboard the Scraayl, along with Breeshey Kermode from UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man and Shaun Murphy from Manx National Heritage.

They were greeted on shore by Chloe Hurst, Calf of Man Estate Warden and Aron Sapford, Calf of Man Bird Warden, where the boards where taken up to the Observatory to be mounted at their temporary home. They will be displayed for this year’s season, which ends in the autumn.         

  The boards on display by the Calf of Man Bird Observatory                                                                                                                                            Chloe Hurst, Calf Estate Warden, gives her approval                                                 

The Calf of Man can be enjoyed by visitors through the season and when weather permits, so if you find yourself out there this year be sure to stop by and peruse the Young Nature Writer Boards.

Click here to find the Calf of Man Code, and other visitor information required before booking a visit.

Don’t forget to check out our revamped Young Nature Champion competition for 2024 and make the most of the summer months to get out and about.