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Hamza Yassin launches wildlife photography competition to get children exploring Britain’s hidden rainforests

Hamza Yassin launches wildlife photography competition to get children exploring Britain’s hidden rainforests

Children aged 4 to 11 are being invited to discover Britain’s rare temperate rainforests and capture wildlife through their eyes.

young boy crouching down and taking a picture using a camera in a park with trees in autumn time

Hollie Bond

Published: September 17, 2026 at 1:00 AM

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If your child loves spotting birds, bugs and wildlife on family walks, there’s a new reason to get outdoors with a camera. BBC wildlife presenter and nature campaigner Hamza Yassin has teamed up with Aviva and The Wildlife Trusts to launch a photography competition encouraging children to discover Britain’s rare temperate rainforests.

The Rainforest Explorers Photography Competition is open to children aged 4 to 11, with youngsters invited to photograph wildlife and nature either in one of the UK’s temperate rainforests or closer to home.

The initiative comes after research found that many children and adults are unfamiliar with these unusual habitats, despite their importance to wildlife.

Children are being encouraged to discover the UK’s hidden rainforests

Temperate rainforests may sound like something you’d find much further afield, but they exist in parts of the UK, including the Highlands and Argyll, the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog), Dartmoor and Ceredigion.

©The Wildlife Trusts

The research found that just 24% of parents surveyed said their children had learnt about the UK’s temperate rainforests at school.

Most people are amazed to discover that we have rainforests right here in the UK.

Hamza Yassin, wildlife presenter and nature campaigner

Meanwhile, 61% of people surveyed were unable to identify the correct definition of a temperate rainforest.

These habitats are particularly rich in wildlife, providing a home for species including pine martens and red squirrels.

Hamza Yassin taking nature pictures in winter in the UK

Hamza Yassin said: “Most people are amazed to discover that we have rainforests right here in the UK. These hidden, magical places and bursting with wildlife and play an important role in tackling climate change, so I’m passionate about helping more people discover them.

"It’s why I’m so excited to team up with Aviva, supported by The Wildlife Trusts, to launch the Rainforest Explorers Photography Competition. I’m inviting young nature lovers to grab a camera, head outdoors and show us the natural world through their eyes. Whether they explore a rainforest or local green space, I can’t wait to see what they discover. Nature is full of surprises, and you never know what might be hiding just around the corner!”

There’s an option for children who can’t visit a rainforest

two children in a sun-drenched forest looking upwards and pointing

Parents don’t need to plan a trip across the country for their child to take part. The competition has two categories, meaning children can photograph nature wherever they live.

Rainforest Explorers: photographs taken in a UK temperate rainforest.
Urban Jungle: photographs of nature and wildlife closer to home, such as in a garden, park, woodland, pond or other local green space.

This means children can take part whether or not their family is within easy reach of one of the UK’s rainforest habitats.

How children can enter

The competition is divided into two age groups, 4 to 7 and 8 to 11 years old.

Children can visit a UK temperate rainforest with family, friends or their school, or explore a local green space for the Urban Jungle category. They can then take a photograph and choose their favourite image.

A parent or guardian must submit the entry on the child’s behalf.

The winners will be invited to take part in a wildlife photography masterclass in a UK temperate rainforest with young wildlife photographer Jamie Smart, who will share tips for photographing wildlife and help the winners develop their skills.

Why are Britain’s temperate rainforests important?

Britain’s temperate rainforests are now among the country’s rarest habitats. They once covered as much as 20% of Britain but now account for less than 1% of land cover.

The research suggests there is also a knowledge gap around the role these habitats play in supporting the environment. Two thirds of people surveyed did not know that temperate rainforests can slow the flow of heavy rainfall, helping to reduce the risk of flooding.

Nearly three in five people surveyed also did not realise that these forests absorb and store carbon, while 65% were unaware that they can help stabilise soils and reduce erosion and landslides after heavy rain.

For families, the competition offers a simple way to turn a walk, woodland visit or trip outdoors into an opportunity for children to learn more about the wildlife and natural world around them.

Full details and entry information are available at www.aviva.com/rainforest-explorers.

Authors

journalist and two young kids sat on a bench in France for a review of Eurocamp

Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!