I love my country’s secrets,
I love her whispering waves,
The trees that rustle secrets,
The darkness of the caves

~ by Lizzie K (Year 8, 2023), from 'Country'

​Poem Forest is a free nature writing program and prize that breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us. Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with Wollongong City Council, Poem Forest invites students and teachers to use their words to make positive climate action. For every nature poem received, a tree is planted to help heal habitats and create a Poem Forest for future generations. Since 2021, over 22,800 poem trees have been planted.

Poem Forest 2026: The Sounds of Country

Listening deeply to the voices of Country — the birds calling at dawn, insects buzzing in the heat, leaves whispering in the wind, and water flowing through creeks and seas. These everyday sounds tell stories about the seasons, the health of ecosystems, and the connections between all living things. This year, we invite students and teachers to tune in with both ears and hearts, and give voice to the natural rhythms that shape Country. Through poetry, we celebrate the stories these sounds carry, inspiring curiosity, imagination, and deep respect for the world around us. For every poem submitted, a tree will be planted, helping grow a forest where every voice matters.

Entries for the 2026 Poem Forest: The Sounds of Country prize opened on Wednesday 22 April 2026 (Earth Day) and close on Friday 25 September 2026.

2026 Commissioned Poets & Judges

Each year, we commission Australian writers to create new poems responding to the Poem Forest theme. You can find curriculum-aligned Poem Forest poetic resources inspired by their work in our learning materials.

We're thrilled that our 2026 commissioned poets will also be our judging panel this year, and we are excited to welcome Bastian Fox Phelan, Pascalle Burton, Dakota Feirer, and Amanda Anastasi, bringing diverse voices and deep connections to Country and poetry.

Commissioned poems by Bastian Fox Phelan, Pascalle Burton, and Amanda Anastasi are available to read. Tune into Poetry Month this August for a special Poem Forest poem by Dakota Feirer.

Prizes

Poem Forest shortlisted entries and winning poems will be published in our Red Room digital poem library and have the chance to win up to $2,000 in prizes across 10 prize categories for Primary, Secondary, First Nations, LoTE, and Teacher entries.

Read more about our entry categories, prizes, and judges here.

About the Forest

The Poem Forest will continue to be planted on Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country in Wollongong and will extend far and wide across Wollongong with trees planted in local parks, natural areas, backyards, and as street trees. With some of the lowest canopy cover in all of NSW, these trees are critical in creating a better future. ​

Seedlings planted in the Poem Forest include a mix of native plants like eucalypts, paperbarks (melaleuca), palms, flame trees, as well as coastal-loving trees like Wild Quince (Guioa semiglauca) and Cheese Trees (Glochidion ferdinandi). They will be carefully prepared by the team at Wollongong Botanic Garden Nursery so they're ready to provide shade, purify the air, capture and store carbon, and provide homes for living things above and below ground. ​

Learning Resource 2026: The Sounds of Country

This web based curriculum-linked Learning Resource is designed to support students and teachers to find inspiration before composing their poems. It features a range of multi-modal Pre-Writing Prompts and Nature Case Studies to enrich curriculum outcomes across English, Science, Sustainability, First Nations Histories and Cultures, The Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Technology.

Workshops and Events

Throughout the year, Poem Forest will host a number of free digital workshops with high-profile hosts including Tamryn Bennett, Manisha Anjali, Dakota Feirer, and Bastian Fox Phelan.