Dorset National Landscape feature in Nature Calling project

Dorset National Landscape in partnership with Activate Performing Arts will be a major hub in the multi-million pound project called Nature Calling.

It is funded by Arts Council England, the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) and National Landscapes in England.

Dorset National Landscapes aims to protect and regenerate Dorset's Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Two artists have now been announced as part of the project, Louisa Adjoa Parker, a writer of English-Ghanaian heritage, and Becca Gill, an artist and producer.

Both Louisa and Becca are from the south west, and they will be exploring and celebrating the iconic Dorset landscape and working with communities in the county.

Louisa Adjoa Parker (Image: Active Performing Arts)

Louisa said: "I'm delighted to have been commissioned as the Dorset writer for Nature Calling.

"I'm looking forward to hearing local people's stories about life in Dorset, and their connections with the local landscape.

"I'm especially keen to hear from those who haven't traditionally been represented in nature and rural writing.’’

Nature Calling is a first for National Landscapes because of its size, scope and the level of investment.

It aims to inspire communities across England to connect with National Landscapes, increasing their access to nature, improving their wellbeing  and inspiring a sense of belonging in these special places.

Taking inspiration from the landscapes, writers will start the creative process with words in the form of poetry, song, prose or rap for example.

Using these words, local communities will work with artists to co-create their presentation piece for the 'Season of Art', which could include dance, theatre, installation, digital, or music, from May to October 2025.

Becca Gill (Image: Active Performing Arts)

Becca added: “The project Consequences isn't just meaningful—it's fun, aiming to captivate a broad audience and draw attention to our natural and sacred sites.

"We may have forgotten the stories our landscapes tell, but together, we can rediscover and inspire new tales of care, nurture, and community.” 

Nature Calling marks the first time Defra has invested in the arts on a national scale and is the first time National Landscapes teams have come together in such numbers to deliver an arts programme.

Dorset-based Activate Performing Arts. Poetry School are supporting the work nationally and 6 geographically spread National Landscapes will operate as key hubs of activity [3].

Kate Wood, executive and artistic director for Activate Performing Arts and Bill Gee, co-artistic director of Inside Out Dorset, said: “We have worked with our partners across the country to select a really diverse range of extraordinary writers, musicians and artists. 

"We are thrilled with their ideas for Nature Calling and look forward to working with them and the communities in all the locations.”