Through the Stamped by Nature youth-led project, we’re hoping to inspire connection to our native plants and fungi through art. In doing so, we want to encourage people to protect them. So, whether you’re a fan of flowers, moss, trees, seagrass, fungi, or something else - we’d love to learn about your favourite species!

Simply draw, paint, collage, sketch or depict your chosen species in whatever way you like and send it to us with a reason why you chose that plant or fungi.

Click here to find out how to take part

We’ll miniaturize your artwork into a postage stamp, which will form part of a collage of artworks from our wider community. Just like real postage stamps, they will showcase what we as communities and people find important and highlight national and international connections.

Why are plants and fungi important?

Connection to nature often comes from the little things – taking a stroll through a lush woodland, walking along the coast with the scent of the salty sea air in your nose, or simply spending time in your garden listening to the birds twittering away. No matter where you live, nature surrounds us.

Yet how often have you paused to really appreciate the unsung heroes of our natural world; the still and silent workers helping to keep our landscapes alive and thriving? I’m of course talking about our incredible plants and fungi!

Despite their inability to move in the traditional sense, each species plays a special role in maintaining nature’s balance. Our trees provide sanctuaries for all kinds of wildlife, plants absorb carbon dioxide which is vital for tackling climate change, flowers support vital pollinators like bees and butterflies, and fungi break down decaying matter to release nutrients which helps to keep our soils healthy. Without them, our world would look pretty different!

In the UK, our native UK plants and fungi have faced significant declines due to factors like climate change and habitat destruction which disrupt delicate ecosystems. Without people to care or advocate for these species, we risk losing them forever.

How to take part:

-Choose your favourite native plant or fungi. Click here for some inspiration if you’re stuck!

-Create an artwork of your plant or fungi. Please orientate your artwork in portrait so it can be made into a stamp. 

- Please email your submissions to: ellen.williams@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk with the subject ‘Stamped by Nature Artwork’. Don't forget to tell us why you chose it!

We welcome more than one submission if you can’t pick your favourite! Submissions must be of a native UK plant or fungi to be included.

This project is supported by Grow Wild, the national outreach programme of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

What does ‘UK native’ mean?

A plant or fungi is usually considered native to the UK if its presence here is not due to human intervention. Sometimes, plants that were introduced by humans before or during Medieval times (before 1500 AD) are considered ‘honorary natives’, for example: poppies or cornflowers.

The UK is also home to a small number of ‘endemic’ species – that is species that evolved in the UK and are not found naturally elsewhere. These include the Scottish Primrose (Primula scotica), the vaulted earthstar fungus (Gaestrum britannicum), and wild cotoneaster (Cotoneaster cambricus).

Why not come along to our event?