Cultures of Nature and Wellbeing Conference with Bristol Festival of Nature on 13 June 2017

Posted on June 30, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Cultures of Nature and Wellbeing Conference with Bristol Festival of Nature on 13 June 2017

On Tuesday 13 June 2017 at the Watershed in Bristol, I was a speaker in a panel at a one-day conference organised by Bath Spa University with The Bristol Festival of Nature.
I spoke about Camp Avalon, Race Equality in Nature Conference, Black2Nature and encouraging Black Asian Minority Ethnic people out into nature and engaging.

Afterwards, we answered questions as a panel which was the first time I had done that formally, which I really enjoyed.

This is their blog post about the event http://bit.ly/2sZbuvf

It was really amazing to get so much positive feedback and someone approached my mum a couple of days later at an event to hear that my talk was spot on and in their opinion the best of the day!

Young birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at Watershed
Copyright Mya-Rose Craig

Talk at Bath Spa University, College of Liberal Arts

Posted on May 11, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Talk at Bath Spa University, College of Liberal Arts

On the 8th of May 2017, I went right from school to speak at Bath Spa University at their College of Liberal Arts, at the end of their Nature and Wellbeing Conference. I talked about Camp Avalon, my Race Equality in Nature Conference and about Black2Nature.

It was really interesting to give a talk to academics who had been talking about the connection of nature with wellbeing but probably from a completely white perspective. Though Dr Samantha Walton who had organised the conference had been talking to us at Black2Nature about the issues and I spoke at a mini-festival called Landscape and Change organised by her in Bristol, so hopefully she had been able to share some of my ideas already.

There were plenty of questions and interest in what I was talking about and I really felt that my talk triggered a real “lightbulb moment” amongst the people listening. There was also time to talk afterwards, which was also really interesting. It was fascinating to talk to Philippa Forsey from Creativity Works in Radstock near Bath, close to where we live. She had met Mum loads of times in her work to do with mental health and had heard Mum mention me (as well as one of her colleagues who had done a series of creative writing sessions with me and my class at primary school) but thought she was just a proud mum and came over to say how amazing she thought I was and it was lovely that she knew mum too.

Stephen Moss was a lecturer within this department but was away in Peru, it was a shame not to meet him again. The event really inspired me to get writing even more, so you never know, you might see a book from me one day! Thanks to Dr Samantha Walton for organising the event and inviting me to speak.

Speaking at a TEDx Conference

Posted on April 8, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Speaking at a TEDx Conference

Sometimes things come along that you have to say yes to straight away.

I have done almost 40 talks about nature, birding, conservation and Black2Nature or different combinations.

When I was asked to be a speaker at a Ted Conference, it was different. These are talks that are up to 18 minutes long and are totally inspirational.

The Tedx UWE conference I was speaking at on 25 March 2017 at The Arnolfini in Bristol was “The Power of Perseverance” with 7 other inspirational speakers. This is the link to the Eventbrite page for the conference. This was what they said about me

“SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT!

Mya-Rose Craig AKA Birdgirl is a 14-year-old young Naturalist, Ornithologist and Young Birder, as well as Environmentalist, Conservationist, Activist and Writer.

Birdgirl saw her 4,000th bird in Kenya in 2015 and set a target of seeing her 5,400th bird (1/2 of the world’s birds) by age 18.

She has been listed with the songwriter George Ezra and actress Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones as one of Bristol’s most influential young people.

Regardless of her age, she has been able to successfully follow her passions and dreams. How? Through patience and perseverance.

Don’t miss her on Saturday 25th March 2017 at Arnolfini contemporary art museum.”

Young Birder Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig
Copyright Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig

My talk was called “Passion, Priorities, Perseverance”. This the link to the video https://youtu.be/UFl5bty3HKc

I talked about my passion for birds and birding, how I had to find that passion myself and how it can not be imposed by others. I also talked about how that passion has led me to set goals for myself, at a young age, such as wanting to see a Harpy Eagle, wanting to see every hummingbird in the world, wanting to see 5,400 birds (half the world’s birds) before I am 18 years old and wanting to visit all the continents of the world by the time I was 15 years old.

I talked about how in everything I do, I have to prioritise my goal if I am to make them happen. For example, I know the best places for me to go birding in the world for the next 3 summers before I turn 18 years old. Then I have to keep persevering to get to my end goal.

I will post my talk here very soon, as soon as the organisers have posted it on YouTube. When I do, have a watch and I hope you find it inspiring.

BTW, those were the first flowers I have ever been given, though I have been given a flowering plant before after a talk, but that is not quite the same.

Young Birder Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig
Copyright Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig

Young Birder Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig
Copyright Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig

Giving a talk at Timsbury Nats

Posted on March 21, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Giving a talk at Timsbury Nats

Last night, on Monday 20 March 2017, I did my second talk at Timsbury Nats called Born to Bird: Antarctica and Beyond. They are on the other side of the Chew Valley, where I live. My ringing trainer Mike Bailey lives there and is involved in the group.

They are such a lovely group, who sent me a card signed by the whole committee when I was being victimised by Islamaphobic trolls. I think that’s why I love talking to local nature groups so much.

My talk was about my world birding trips from 2014 onwards, including Antarctica. The last time I spoke for them was October 2014, 2 1/2 years ago, so I think I’ve improved a bit since then! It was really great to write and give an almost completely new talk, so let me know if I’ve talked to your group before but you would like me back.

The first photo is me jumping into a pool full of icy seawater, an Antarctica tradition and the second and third are of me getting up close to a Gentoo Penguin.

Young conservationist Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig getting out of Antarctic sea water
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Young conservationist Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig with a Gentoo Penguin, Antarctica
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Young conservationist Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig “hugging” a Gentoo Penguin, Antarctica
Photograph taken by and copyright Chris Craig

Rockhopper and Chinstrap Penguin, Antarctica
Photograph taken by and copyright Young conservationist Mya-Rose Birdgirl Craig

Speaking at the Bath Spa University Landscape and Change Festival

Posted on February 26, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Speaking at the Bath Spa University Landscape and Change Festival

On 25 February 2017, I was on a panel speaking at the Bath Spa University English Department one day micro-fest Conference, Landscape and Change Festival.

The conference was made up of lots of different academics and artists, such as poets and writers from around the country. This is a link to the Eventbrite listing http://bit.ly/2qhy1yI.

Speakers:
11.30 – 12.45 Panel 1. Activism, Education, Community
Introduction
Madhu Krishnan (academic, University of Bristol)
Jess Tamsin (organiser, Protestival)12.45 – 13.30 Lunch13.30 – 15.00 Panel 2. Nature, Ecology, Engagement
Mya-Rose Craig (Birdgirl, Black2Nature)
Lila Matsumoto (poet and researcher, University of Nottingham)
J.R. Carpenter (artist, writer, researcher, performer)

15.15 – 16.45 Panel 3. History, Memory, Creativity
Olivette Otele (historian, Bath Spa University)
Edson Burton (poet and historian, Bristol) Tony White (author, Piece of Paper Press)

17.00-18.00 Panel 3. Publishing, Small Press
Lily Green (No Bindings press)
Sarah Hayden (poet, University of Southampton)
Camilla Nelson (poet, artist and researcher)

I spoke about Black2Nature, Camp Avalon and my Race Equality in Nature Conference. The audience were great and were really interested in what I had to say.

The event was organised by Dr Samantha Walton in the English Department.

It was the first time I had been to Hamilton House on Stokes Croft, Bristol even though it was close to my Nanu’s house and down the road from where my mum went to school. It was really brilliant to walk around the area, soak up the graffiti and shop in a vintage shop with charity shop prices; great for me with my love of pre-loved clothing!

Afterwards I heard from Samantha that almost everyone wrote on their feedback forms that I was the highlight of the day. With all these amazing speakers, that was fantastic to hear. Thank you to everyone who was at my talk.

Avon Wildlife Trust Keynsham Group Talk “Born to Bird”

Posted on January 14, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Avon Wildlife Trust Keynsham Group Talk “Born to Bird”

Last night I gave an one and half hour talk to Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT) Keynsham Group. My talk was called “Born to Bird” about how I got into birding, my journey to seeing 4500 birds in the world and the conservation projects I am involved in. I was particularly pleased to do the talk without any notes and still not forget anything.

The organisers of the group said that normally their January Talks are very quiet, so apologised in advance in case there was a small audience.

Instead, my talk had a record audience with quite a few kids and teenagers there, which has never happened before. They had to bring out all the chairs and the room was packed with more than 60 people.

What was lovely was that AWT members came from around Bristol, not just Keynsham. It would be great if one day it was possible for me to give a talk in Bristol itself.

Ian Barratt, the CEO of AWT was also there with his two children, so no pressure 🙂

It was lovely to have a chat and meet his children and hopefully inspire them. I loved speaking to this group, particularly as the audience was great, laughing at my photos and jokes and being really interested in what I have managed to do. So thanks again. I even got invited back to speak more about Spoon-billed Sandpipers.

One of the many lovely messages that I received after the talk:
“My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed last Friday evenings talk given by your amazing daughter. Your parents have given you golden opportunities and you have grasped them fully with both hands”

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig

A recent article about me in the local newspaper, The Keynsham Voice, and the great work of The Avon Wildlife Trust

Speaking at Association of Science (ASE) Educators Conference 2017

Posted on January 7, 2017June 7, 2022 by Mya-Rose Craig

Speaking at Association of Science (ASE) Educators Conference 2017

Today was a really interesting day, as I did a one hour talk at the Association of Science Educations (ASE) Conference 2017 at Reading University. The ASE is a membership organisation for Science teachers and I spoke to those teaching pupils aged 11-18 years.

It was interesting to visit Reading University and look around as well as Reading, I have visited Birmingham, Manchester and Cambridge.

My talk was about how they were a key part in the programme to get more BAME people into nature, by them concentrating on teaching secondary age teenagers about nature, conservation and environmental issues as well as trying to get them interested in and connecting with nature. I focused on the need to educate pupils about studying sciences, ensuring that they and their parents understand the professions that they can go into with say a biology degree, such as conservation or environmental careers.

I talked about the research, Camp Avalon, the Race Equality in Nature Conference and Black2Nature.

These are my slides and notes from my talk and it would be great if you could spread it to as many people especially teachers to read possible:

https://1drv.ms/b/s!AlHI1zymOkP6lRV-4q0zbGKfHl1q

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at ASE Conference
Photograph copyright Mya-Rose Craig

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at ASE Conference
Photograph copyright Mya-Rose Craig

Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig at ASE Conference
Photograph copyright Mya-Rose Craig

Category: Talks