Welcome to the Abi Burns website

I am a UK-based writer with a particular interest in the relationship between man and the natural world.  My background is in science - I have a PhD in Zoology - but it is the human interaction with nature which fascinates me and it is this relationship I focus on in my writing.

My first stand-alone book Masterpieces of Nature - a journey through the most spectacular natural landscapes and important ecosystems on earth - is coming out on 25th September 2010 published by Edizioni White Star and will be available in English, Italian, German, Spanish, French and Polish. This far-reaching, yet intimate, portrait of our planet is illustrated by images from some of the world's top nature photographers.  From Introduction: “In wilderness is the preservation of the world.” Henry David Thoreau We live on a remarkable planet. Even within the vastness of space it is, as far as we know, unique. It is a world in constant motion: continents drift over the surface, immense mountain ranges are raised and destroyed, ice periodically entombs the globe, oceans form then dry up. No other planet in the solar system is so dynamic. This restless nature has created an extraordinary diversity of environments. From the freezing poles to the baking deserts, from the rarefied air of mountain tops to the crushing pressures of the deepest ocean trenches, our planet is one of stunning contrasts. But even in these most extreme places there is life. And this is what makes Earth truly exceptional. Available to pre-order on Amazon at £25.50.

I am delighted that a story I wrote is being included in Gentle Footprints, an anthology for Born Free published by Bridge House and launched at the Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival on 4th June 2010, where I gave a reading.  This book is a collection of animal stories to raise funds for, and awareness of, the work of Born Free and includes a foreword by Virginia McKenna and a new story by Richard Adams, author of Watership Down.  My story Homecoming is about the return of the chough to Cornwall, what it means for a landscape and a people - to read an extract and hear about the launch see the Hay fever page. 

In 2009 I was named BBC Nature Writer of the Year for an article about the loss of ancient woodland and its impact on wildlife and people.  This is an area close to my heart and I am actively involved in woodland conservation work.  I am also passionate about supporting overseas conservation projects and believe that for many biodiversity hotspots around the world, the next decade will be absolutely crucial if many hundreds of thousands of species are not to be lost forever.

Photograph taken in the Mara.  According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, lions could be extinct in the wild in Kenya by 2030 

I am also a strong believer in promoting more sustainable, welfare- and environmentally- friendly farming methods.  For the last few years I have been travelling around Britain meeting traditional farmers who are the guardians of our native breeds and countryside.  This project has taken me from the tip of Cornwall to the furthest flung of the Orkneys and I have encountered some fascinating people, animals and landscapes.  In many cases traditional farmers are playing a key role in the conservation of British wildlife.  The aim of this project is to celebrate the diverse role of native breeds in heritage, culture and the environment, while collecting information about their current conservation status and threats to their survival.  I have gathered this information together in a book celebrating both these animals and those who keep them - more details to follow shortly.  I have also illustrated some of my writing projects with photography and original artwork. 

  Portland ram (pastel)                                                                                                         Castlemilk sheep enjoying the evening sun (pastel)