NORTHUMBERLAND National Park has welcomed prominent writer Dr Sheree Mack to join them as part of the Black Nature In Residence project which aims to connect Black, Asian, and Ethnic communities to nature.

Dr Mack will explore all aspects of Northumberland National Park including the people, landscape, cultural heritage, ecology, and conservation projects that are ongoing. She will produce a series of creative outputs that can be enjoyed by anyone and, alongside other writers in the area, will develop a ‘Black nature language’ to help those who have not experienced the landscapes of the North-East to feel more connected to nature.

Dr Mack has lived in the North-East since she was 10-years-old but has often felt uncomfortable visiting rural areas as a Black person.

The Black Nature In Residence project aims to reconnect communities with nature, help remove some of the barriers which prevent people of colour from visiting the countryside, and encourage more people of colour to get involved in rural projects.

Northumberland National Park aims to be a welcoming park and is committed to connecting more and different people to nature and the park’s unique and special qualities through a diverse engagement and education programme.

Dr Mack said: “Until recently, I had only seen Northumberland as a place to travel through on my way to Scotland. Gradually I started visiting places closer to home and realised that I had a connection to the landscape and cultural heritage of the national park. From the African Roman soldiers who stood on Hadrian’s Wall, to the numerous wild plant species that have migrated here from the Global South, Black people can feel closely connected to North-East nature, but many are not.

“It is my goal with Black Nature In Residence to find the right words to bring that connection to Black nature closer to those communities living in the North-East, and to showcase the amazing work of the national park through our own, relevant and inclusive language.”

Mandy Roberts, engagement officer at Northumberland National Park, added: “I am thrilled to welcome Dr Sheree Mack to Northumberland National Park, and I look forward to seeing the range of creative work that comes from Dr Mack and other Black nature writers through the exploration of our unique and inspiring landscapes.”

Three other writers of colour will also take up residence in other parts of the region.