Guardian Opens Young Country Diary Submissions for Nature-Loving Children
The Guardian's Call for Young Nature Writers
The Guardian has once again opened its Young Country Diary series for submissions, inviting children aged 8-14 to share their encounters with nature. This opportunity offers young nature enthusiasts a platform to have their work published in a major newspaper while getting paid for their contributions.
Sharing Nature Encounters Through Writing
The Young Country Diary series seeks articles about recent encounters with nature, whether it's observing a nesting bird, noticing a beetle on the move, or describing a field full of flowers. Children don't need to be nature experts to participate—teachers are especially encouraged to get their classes outside and noticing the natural world around them.
Crucially, any child whose article is published will be paid for their contribution, providing both recognition and reward for their nature writing.
Submission Guidelines and Timeline
The deadline for spring submissions is noon on Wednesday 1 July. Six entries will be chosen for publication in the newspaper and online—two each in June, July, and August. Early birds who submit before the 20th of the month have a chance of being published in the following month.
To participate, children must:
- Be aged 8-14 and based in the UK
- Have parental or guardian permission
- Write an article of 200-250 words describing their nature encounter
- Submit through the Guardian's online form (completed by a parent/guardian)
Educational and Environmental Impact
This initiative serves multiple important purposes: it encourages children to develop observational skills, fosters a connection with the natural world, and promotes environmental awareness from a young age. By providing a platform for young voices, the Guardian helps nurture the next generation of nature writers and environmental advocates.
Teachers can use this opportunity to incorporate outdoor learning into their curriculum, helping students develop both writing skills and environmental literacy through direct experience with nature.
Future Opportunities for Young Nature Enthusiasts
The Young Country Diary series represents an ongoing commitment by the Guardian to youth environmental education and expression. As climate awareness grows, platforms that amplify young voices about nature experiences become increasingly valuable. This program may inspire similar initiatives from other publications and could potentially develop into a year-round feature rather than a quarterly submission call.
For children whose work is published, this experience could mark the beginning of a lifelong engagement with both writing and environmental stewardship, potentially opening doors to future opportunities in journalism, conservation, or environmental science.