Teen conservationist McAnulty shortlisted for Wainwright Prize

Teenage conservationist Dara McAnulty and author Jini Reddy are among the writers shortlisted for this year's Wainwright Prize for UK nature writing.

Now in its seventh year, the prize is awarded annually to the book which most successfully inspires readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world.

McAnulty makes the list for his Diary of a Young Naturalist (Little Toller), while Reddy gets the nod for Wanderland (Bloomsbury Wildlife).

The shortlist also features The Frayed Atlantic Edge by David Gange (William Collins), On the Red Hill by Mike Parker (Cornerstone), Dark, Salt, Clear by Lamorna Ash (Bloomsbury), Native: Life in a Vanishing Landscape by Patrick Laurie (Birlinn) and Dancing with Bees by Brigit Strawbridge Howard and illustrator John Walters (Chelsea Green).

Julia Bradbury, chair of the judging panel, said: "In these difficult and uncertain times, it has once again been a delight to chair the judging of the Wainwright Prize for nature writing. All of the books that my fellow judges and I have shortlisted are perfect reading for the coronavirus crisis, and they have helped me and many others during the lockdown. I don’t think there has ever been a better time to reconnect and reflect on the importance of nature in all our lives. Nature’s restorative effects are renowned and all of the selected books amplify that truth.”

A new prize has also been introduced this year for writing on global conservation. The shortlist features Irreplaceable by Julian Hoffman (Hamish Hamilton), Life Changing by Helen Pilcher (Sigma), Rebirding by Benedict Macdonald (Pelagic), Sitopia by Carolyn Steel (Vintage), What We Need to Do Now by Chris Goodall (Profile) and Working with Nature by Jeremy Purseglove (Profile).

The winners’ announcement will be made on 9th September, with a £5,000 prize fund shared between the authors of the winning books.

The prize is supported by Frances Lincoln Publishers, publisher of the Wainwright Guides, as well as the Wainwright Estate, and is held in partnership with the National Trust.