How can nature writing help us engage with the natural world? Rosie Brown talks to nature writer, Alexandra Pearce-Broomhead, discussing how words can aid in building a greater appreciation for nature.

Since the beginning, human beings have been storytellers. We crave stories and we all yearn to tell our own tales; whether it be through visuals, songs, written word, or spoken aloud over a campfire. We all love to get lost and lose ourselves within a tale, to escape the mundane and become immersed in another world. A good author can weave a story in which you celebrate and cheer when a character is victorious; and sob and wipe tears from your eyes when they are defeated. A good story has the power to make us feel; an essential part of what makes us human. This is not only true for fictional storytelling, but also for works of non-fiction.

Recently, I finished reading David Attenborough’s book, Adventures of a Young Naturalist. It is a collection of some of his expeditions when shooting Zoo Quest and although much of the practices in the book are now outdated, it made for a thrilling read. He wove words together that painted vivid images in my mind of a young man seeking adventure; hungry to discover unknown creatures. At times, I could picture myself alongside him - watching the bustling streets of Jakarta and travelling across dangerous seas to Komodo, feeling salt spray on my face. When he discovered armadillos in Paraguay after endless days of searching, I felt his excitement. I trekked through hot jungles and dozed lazily in hammocks with birdsong all around and rainfall pattering on leaves. When I closed the book, I felt inspired to seek my own adventure.

A question had bugged me for a while now, resurfaced whilst reading Adventures of a Young Naturalist:

How can nature writing engage us with the natural world?

This question has wriggled and festered in my brain like a worm for a long time. How can we use stories, whether fictional or non-fictional, to get people back outside? We are becoming increasingly disconnected from the natural world. The gap between us and nature has grown into a vast chasm, empty of knowledge and understanding. So, how can nature writing help overcome this?

Recently, I put forward this question to Alexandra Pearce-Broomhead, a nature writer based in Cornwall who also works in conservation and fundraising for a wildlife rehabilitation centre. Her writing focuses predominately on Cornwall, drawing inspiration from its rugged landscapes and array of wildlife, as well as its history and folklore. Alex’s journey into nature writing began young; as a child she was obsessed with nature. She was fortunate enough to enjoy a childhood rich in natural experiences.

“I was obsessed with my little Michelin Eye Spy nature book and crazy about the ocean; I used to pour over pictures of angel fish and Portuguese man’o’war in National Geographic magazines and try to imagine what it would be like to see them in real life. But it was not until I was in my twenties that I started to write about wildlife. I offered my time to Essex Wildlife Trust as a volunteer and they asked me to put together some information pieces for their Living Landscapes project and I fell in love with the idea of communicating nature to people. From there I went on to write for various magazines and newspapers, and wrote a few short pieces for a blog. I’m now writing my first book about nature in Cornwall but it requires getting a lot of permissions and access – which has been really difficult since the pandemic!

I wouldn’t call myself an expert in any aspect of the natural world, but if something I write can encourage someone to take a bit more notice of what is around them or to take steps to make a positive change for wildlife then that’s an incredible thing.”

The beauty of nature writing is that it pulls you into a world you are already familiar with, but teaches aspects of it you may have never known. It is through seeing new perspectives that our understanding of the world around us deepens.

“For me, good nature writing lets your imagination run wild. My personal favourite nature writer is John Lewis-Stempel; his writing manages to grab you by the hand and take you on a journey. I’ve wandered through his meadows, listened to birdsong with him and felt the bite of the cold wind as we’ve traipsed through the snow in the woods - and I’ve never even met him. But it’s also great to be educated. One piece that struck a chord with me was Patrick Barkham’s contribution to The Wildlife Trusts’ ‘Winter’ collection. As well as being beautifully written, Patrick discusses looking for butterfly eggs in the depths of winter, something that had never occurred to me. It’s a stark reminder to look a little closer because you can find nature at the strangest of times and in the most unexpected of places.”

Yet – what is the purpose of nature writing? All too easily we can step outside and experience the wilderness for ourselves, why is there a need to read about the experience? I put this question forward to Alex:

“I think nature writing provides the perfect escapism. Meditation and mindfulness have become increasingly popular in recent times as we battle against the stressful aspects of our modern life – our current work ethic and being surrounded by technology all day. Of course, stepping outside is the best way to reconnect, relax and rejuvenate, but when this is not possible rather than looking at pictures of sunsets on a screen or listening to the ocean on an app, reading is a fantastic way of allowing your imagination to blossom. Studies have shown amazing benefits of reading, so packing some wildlife in there is surely bound to have a positive effect. If you are someone who struggles with calming your thoughts then instead of just closing your eyes and struggling to imagine a scene, good nature writing can help transport you there.

I also think the process of writing can be very therapeutic and would recommend that everyone gives it a go! Take a notebook and start with some small observations on your next walk. Make some notes about the colours, sounds, smells – and then consider how they affect your own senses. I guarantee that most people will start to notice more than they would usually.”

Engaging people in the natural world remains to be a constant struggle; yet the events of the past year have led to many people rediscovering their local greenspaces. Many now realise the importance of time spent outside, meaning a shift in our perception of the natural world – it is no longer seen as a commodity, but as a necessity. But, as Alex points out, you do not have to be surrounded by wild spaces to appreciate nature.

“Being in lock down has reminded a lot of people of the value that nature has and the profound effect it has on our mental health. Anecdotally, we are seeing a lot of people from big cities trying to relocate to Cornwall - people are craving wild spaces. But you do not have to be surrounded by fields and woodlands to appreciate the natural world. David Lindo, ‘The Urban Birder’, has written a lot on birding in cities and Dave Goulson’s latest book, ‘The Garden Jungle’, explores the nature in your back yard, local parks and even between the paving slabs. It is about making nature accessible to everyone to spark that interest, especially young people.”

Engaging the next generation of nature writers and outdoor enthusiasts is vital in ensuring the natural world is preserved. Alex is also a founding member of the team who started New Nature; a natural history e-magazine written solely by people aged 30 and under. Such platforms are crucial in getting the new generation heard and giving them the space to voice their opinion.

“The interest (for New Nature) was overwhelming, we’ve had contributors as young as six. A lot of young people are interested in the environment, but their access can be limited, we need to be able to open it up to them from a younger age. The Natural History GCSE would be an amazing addition and it would be brilliant to see some nature writing added to the syllabus – something I’d love to campaign for.”

Perhaps more than ever before, for many of us nature has offered us a place to retreat too. We can ground ourselves – feel the sun on our backs or the cold gnawing at our bones, the sound of waves crashing into shore or creaking branches in the wind. These are moments we can experience and immerse ourselves in. With nature writing, some of this magic is captured and stored in the pages of a book, written like an incantation which when read can take you back into the forests and along the cliffs. Nature writing as a form of expression is growing, re-emerging, and engaging with a whole new audience. Alex states:

“Nature writing has been enjoying a resurgence in the last few years and it’s really changing shape. There are lots of different styles of writing, from journalistic to poetry to prose. Some is more factual but a more personal style is emerging. Writers are intertwining their own life stories and evaluating how nature affects us. From Amy Liptrot’s memoir, ‘The Outrun’, discussing her alcohol addiction, to Joe Harkness’s ‘Bird Therapy’ on how bird watching supported him through a breakdown, today’s writers are exploring more than just observations in the field. Alongside this, we are seeing a new generation of writers; many young people are using nature writing as their opportunity to have a voice. Dara McAnulty won the Wainwright Prize in 2020 aged 16 years old and Alex White published his first book, ‘Get Your Boots On’, at just 15. I think after this year, as more people are beginning to realise the value that nature has to them, we will see nature writing continue to evolve and there will be some amazing new voices emerging.”

To read Alex’s work and stay updated on her book, please check out her blog and Instagram, where you can discover more of her adventures in Cornwall.

With thanks to Laura Cuppage Art for the gorgeous illustration, you can discover more of her artwork on her Instagram.

The Power of Words - Alexandra Pearce-Broomhead

How can nature writing help us engage with the natural world? Rosie Brown talks to nature writer, Alexandra Pearce-Broomhead, discussing how words can aid in building a greater appreciation for nature.