As proud partners with the UK’s leading nature writing competition, we’re delighted to share this year’s winners.
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The Wainwright Prizes are the UK’s foremost awards celebrating nature, conservation, and environmental writing. Created in famous fell-walker Alfred Wainwright’s name, the prizes showcase writing that reflects his values, celebrating nature and our environment, nurturing respect for our planet, and informing readers of the threats that nature faces.
The Book of Birds by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane has won the 2026 Wainwright Prize Book of the Year and Illustrative Books category.
Described by the judges as an “utterly beautiful book to treasure”, the book tells the story of 49 British birds, with illustrations by Jackie Morris and words by Robert Macfarlane. It’s a moving call to action and a celebration of UK birdlife.
RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight said of the book: “Rooted in wonder, The Book of Birds has the power to persuade – to be the catalyst that reminds us all of what we stand to lose, and to spur us on to help our precious birdlife thrive once more.”
Find out more about the book and see some of the stunning illustrations.
Otherlands: An Illustrated Journey Through Earth’s Lost Worlds by Thomas Halliday and illustrated by Gavin Scott won the 2026 Children’s Wainwright Prize Book of the Year and Children’s Non-Fiction category.
The book is an illustrated journey into Earth’s distant path, introducing young people to the life on earth that shared the world before our time. The judges called it a “breakthrough children’s classic that will endure for decades”. The book is adapted from the adult novel Otherlands by Thomas Halliday, that was commended in the 2022 Wainwright Prize.
At the RSPB we recognise the power of storytelling to shine a light on endangered species, the places that wildlife calls home and the need to protect our planet. This year’s winners are shining examples of exceptional writing that can tell these stories.
The Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing
Ancient: Reviving the Woods that Made Britain by Luke Barley
The Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing
The Savage Landscape: How We Made the Wilderness by Cal Flyn
The Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books
The Book of Birds by Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction
The Danger of Small Things by Caryl Lewis
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction
Otherlands: An Illustrated Journey Through Earth’s Lost Worlds by Thomas Halliday and illustrated by Gavin Scott
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books
The Great Bear by Annie Booker
Highly commended
Congratulations to Nicola Chester on her highly commended book, Ghosts of the Farm. Nicola is one of our long-standing columnists on the RSPB Magazine, our quarterly magazine for RSPB members!
Nature Writing
Ghosts of the Farm: Two Women's Journeys Through Time, Land and Community by Nicola Chester
Conservation Writing
Green Crime: Inside the Minds of the People Destroying the Planet and How to Stop Them by Dr Julia Shaw and When the Forest Breathes by Suzanne Simard
Illustrative Books
Funga Obscura: Photo Journeys Among Fungi by Alison Pouliot
Children’s Fiction
The Adventures of Portly the Otter: Untold Tales From the Wind in the Willows by M.G. Leonard, illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Children’s Non-Fiction
The Cave Explorer by Kate Winter
Children’s Picture Books
Isla and The Sky by Greg Stobbs
We’re proud to partner with the Wainwright Prize and celebrate the best in nature writing.
RSPB Director of Communications Alex Try said:
“It was a privilege to be a partner and judge once again, and it’s great to see the Wainwright prize going from strength to strength. The more people who read these fabulous books, the more advocates there will be for our natural world.”
Announcing the winners, Wainwright Prize Director, Alastair Giles, said:
"Warmest congratulations to all our longlisted, shortlisted, and winning authors and illustrators. This year's entries once again show just how vital and vibrant nature and conservation writing has become, not only as a form of creative expression, but as a force for change.
“As environmental and social challenges grow ever more urgent, it's inspiring to see writers using their voices to deepen our connection with the natural world. The Wainwright Prize continues to champion those who remind us that storytelling can be a powerful step towards awareness, action, and ultimately, hope."
When you join the RSPB, you’ll receive our regular members’ magazine, home to some of the best writers on birds and other wildlife, and brimming with expertise and inspiration!
