The Wainwright Prizes, the UK’s leading awards celebrating nature, conservation, and environmental writing, is expanding in 2025 with three new categories to reflect an increase in the quality and quantity of submissions, particularly in children’s publishing.
In response to a record-breaking number of excellent submissions — particularly for the children’s prize — both prize segments will now recognise outstanding work across six distinct categories, including, for the first time, an award dedicated to illustrative books, and the long-awaited expansion of the children’s prize into fiction, non-fiction, and picture books.
At the heart of this year’s expansion is a powerful mission: to inspire young people to fall in love with the natural world — and to empower them, through stories, to protect it.
Whether through fact or fiction, lyrical prose or stunning illustrations, the books honoured by the Wainwright Prizes aim to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and plant the seeds of environmental responsibility in readers of all ages.
“Expanding the children’s prize has long been part of our vision,” said Luke Giles from the Wainwright Prizes. “We believe deeply in the importance of inspiring young readers through stories that connect them to the natural world. This year’s submissions made it clear that the time was right to honour that ambition with three dedicated awards.”
The longlist will be announced on 3rd July, with the shortlist revealed on 5th August. The winner’s ceremony will take place on 10th September (venue and date TBC).
Now in its twelfth year, the Wainwright Prizes continue to grow in reach, relevance, and resonance. Named after the legendary walker and nature writer Alfred Wainwright, both prizes remain rooted in their founding goal: to celebrate writing and illustration that inspires a love of the natural world, and raises awareness of the challenges it faces.
The Wainwright Prizes are also delighted to be expanding their outstanding group of partners, with National Geographic Kids and World Book Day, joining The RSPB and long-standing supporters The Wildlife Trusts & The National Trust — all organisations share in the Prize’s mission to inspire a deeper connection with the natural world, especially among younger generations.
Six new panels of expert judges – to be announced shortly – will select this year’s shortlists and winners. The longlists have just been confirmed with publishers and include a beautifully diverse and compelling range of titles.