The South Downs National Park is at the heart of a new digital exhibition, Species Stories, which uses poetry, stories, film, and spoken word to explore the park's recognisable wildlife. The project aims to bring to life people's reflections and imaginations concerning the park's most iconic species, including butterflies, bats, birds, and bees.
This creative exploration has been produced by talented writers and artists from Black and ethnically diverse backgrounds, alongside children and young people from across the National Park. The free exhibition is a collaboration between Brighton-based arts organisation Writing Our Legacy, the South Downs National Park Trust, and the Foyle Foundation.
Anooshka Rawden, Cultural Heritage Lead for the South Downs National Park, highlighted the enduring inspiration of the landscape. "The incredible landscape of the South Downs National Park has inspired stories for thousands of years, with generations of people moved by its beauty, biodiversity and heritage," she stated. "At the heart of the South Downs story are species – the amazing birds, bees, butterflies and bats that have survived for millennia."
Rawden further explained that "Species Stories explores the fascinating connection between these extraordinary animals and humans, reminding us all that we are ultimately part of nature and our stories are intertwined." She added that the exhibition features "a range of new voices, bringing a fresh perspective on what South Downs nature means amid the unprecedented challenges it faces."
Eight writers and artists have created unique pieces inspired by specific South Downs species. These include a diary entry from an endangered potter's flower bee, tales of the European vesper bat, and a song inspired by migrating turtle doves. The commissioned writers are Dulani Kulasinghe, Jess Murrain, Jose Hall, Marva Carty, Rawz, Rona Luo, Sense Turner, and Tamara Lois Ansah.
In parallel, schoolchildren from Sussex and Hampshire participated in a creative writing competition. Supported by educational materials developed by commissioned writer Gemma Weekes, pupils created pieces reflecting their own connections with nature. The winning schools – Midhurst Rother College, Midhurst Primary School, and Bury CE Primary School – each received a Pollination Education Station. These handcrafted outdoor habitats, designed by local charity Sussex Green Living, serve as living classrooms and provide vital resources for pollinators.
Laura Braun, Senior Teacher at Bury CE Primary, commented on the engaging nature of the project: "My class were intrigued to find out more about the animals in the Species Stories project and loved reading the range of texts provided. It was really engaging that the texts were not all standard ‘non-fiction’ pieces."
Carrie Court, Founder of Sussex Green Living, expressed delight at the partnership: "We were over the moon when the South Downs National Park chose our Pollination Education Station’s as the prizes for the winning writers. Working with the National Park’s education team during the installation events created a wonderful outdoor education day for the pupils in these schools and the stations provided a lasting legacy for their fantastic writing."
Amy Glass, CEO and Founder of Writing Our Legacy, highlighted the exhibition's success in engaging young people: "Species Stories creatively engaged the imaginations of children and young people in the rich biodiversity of the South Downs National Park, encouraging them to think and care about the beautiful species living amongst us." She added that the project commissioned "eight outstanding writers of colour" and an educational resource for local schools, bringing the South Downs to life for a wider audience.
The exhibition can be viewed online at https://species-stories.southdowns.gov.uk/
