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.
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
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
I have organised with Black2Nature, in partnership with BBC Natural History Unit, Icon Films and young filmmaker Paul Collins an exciting film-making workshop with a focus on group work and outdoor filming. It is aimed at young people aged 11 years – 19 years with priority to those living in areas of deprivation or of a minority ethnic background. The event takes part at Eastville Park in inner-city Bristol on 21st June 2017, from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
BirdigirlMya-Rose Craig filming for BBC4
We will cover:
(1) Discussion: What makes a good story?
(2) Discussion: What is the story? – Subject, Setting, Behaviour
(3) In Groups: What is the story? – choose a subject; a story with a beginning/middle/end; interesting behaviour.
(4) Discussion: Storyboarding – i.e. how to tell the story visually… Basics of composition; shot sizes (close-up v wide) and what these mean for the story.
(5) In Groups: Storyboarding – drawing a sequence; understanding what shots they need to get to tell the story; thinking about story structure. Once each group has a storyboard, given instruction on how to use the camcorders and filming in groups.
Review of filming and instructions for home editing task.
All participants will receive a certificate for the workshop. It is hoped that the workshop will help young people from less affluent backgrounds to get started on a career in nature film-making as well as sparking and interest in the outdoors. Bristol makes 80% of the world’s nature and wildlife films.
BirdigirlMya-Rose Craig filming for BBC4
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
30 Days Wild – Day 6 to 10 – for diverse communities
This month is 30 Days Wild 2016, an initiative of The Wildlife Trusts who say “This June, can you do something wild each day for a month?”
What they are saying is that nature is everywhere, so by looking for it through your normal day, you should start to notice it and enjoy it more.
They say that they don’t want you to give anything up for June, just give yourself time in the wild with your family, to reconnect with nature. 26,000 people have already signed up, but it would be great if you signed up to taking part at http://bit.ly/1WZnYKW.
So, for my 30 Days Wild, I have decided to connect with nature each day in a different way, that could feel relevant to Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities or People of Colour (POC) in the USA and be practical if you live in an inner city area. Things that BAME people can identify with and so might find it easier to try. Not just young people, but BAME people of all ages.<
For day six, I ate the first part of my dinner outside in the garden. Today is the first of the month of Ramadan for Muslims. It was a hard day for me and I was thirsty, hungry and exhausted. I thought that if I broke my fast outside, alone, I would feel rejuvenated and happier in myself. That really did work.
If you don’t have a garden or green space nearby, just go outside with water in a bottle and dates in your hand and as you break your fast, remember how beautiful our world is. If you are not Muslim, take a snack and drink outdoors and enjoy the taste with your surroundings.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
For day seven, I thought it would be good to do a little gardening. If you feel like it, fill a medium sized container with compost, plant seeds for veg you like and make sure you water regularly. If you live in flats, put the container on your balcony or have something small for an inside window ledge. As easy option is as follows:
My niece Laila holding an old fruit container
My niece Laila holding an old fruit container
My niece Laila holding an old fruit container
My niece Laila putting an absorbent material into the container, to cover the holes
My niece Laila putting an absorbent material into the container, to cover the holes
My niece Laila with some cardboard
My niece Laila using cardboard to put ordinary soil into the container
My niece Laila using cardboard to put ordinary soil into the container
My niece Laila using cardboard to put ordinary soil into the container
Laila using cloves in water to soak but try whole coriander soaked and split
Laila planting cloves (not sure if they will grow but that is part of the excitement)
Or, if you or someone in your family have a garden, help out and involve your children and elder family members. Elder family member may be particularly interested in gardening and many have allotments. My Nanu (gran) has always grown vegetables and herbs. She used to supply the family restaurant with coriander in the 70’s and 80’s. Now she is disabled, but still pays someone to do the gardening for her, coming out in her wheelchair to watch it all grow.
Child helping his grandfather in the garden
Child in her grandparents’ garden
For day eight, go outside into your garden, the nearest place you can sit outside or a local park. Then sit quietly and practise mindfulness (focusing with all your senses on what is around you), meditate, use worry beads or if you have faith, maybe some prayer or rosary beads. As it’s the month of Ramadan, I prayed using prayer beads (called tasbih). Send me photos of you and I’d love to add them to this blog post.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig practising mindfulness
On day nine, I went outside into my garden. It would be great if you could go out to a local park or green space with your friends or family. I went today, but you can go at the weekend. Play cricket or rounders or just mess about. Enjoy hearing the laughter of the people you are with especially any children. Remember what that joy sounds like and feels like. Make sure you don’t leave it so long before doing it again.
Young Birder Young Birder Mya-Rose Craig
For day ten, I took photos of my niece Laila enjoying and feeling the rain. At first, she complained (I know I’m a mean aunt, but then she really liked the rebellion of it all).
My Mum has told me about visiting Bangladesh for the first time over the summer of 1977 when she had her 8th birthday. I have been there quite a few times but never in the heat of the summer.
My Mum told me that it was really hot and humid and that many relatives didn’t have electricity and so no fans. Lots of houses had corrugated roofs, patched up after the civil war. It was unbearably hot, especially as she had never left the UK before.
It was the monsoon season and so in between the days of sweltering heat, there would be sudden thunderstorms, when the warm rain was so heavy the roads would get flooded immediately.
As soon as the rain started, all the children, rich and poor would run outside to feel the rain and enjoy the coolness as it soaked them through.
So part of today’s 30 Days Wild, is to tell that story and connect my generation with those who live back “home”.
My niece in the summer downpour
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
30 Days Wild – Day 1 to 5 – for diverse communities
This month is 30 Days Wild 2016, an initiative of The Wildlife Trusts who say “This June, can you do something wild each day for a month?”
What they are saying is that nature is everywhere, so by looking for it through your normal day, you should start to notice it and enjoy it more.
They say that they don’t want you to give anything up for June, just give yourself time in the wild with your family, to reconnect with nature. 26,000 people have already signed up, but it would be great if you signed up to taking part at http://bit.ly/1WZnYKW.
So, for my 30 Days Wild, I have decided to connect with nature each day in a different way, that could feel relevant to Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities or People of Colour (POC) in the USA and be practical if you live in an inner city area. Things that BAME people can identify with and so might find it easier to try. Not just young people, but BAME people of all ages.
For day one, I thought I would start easy. I went to my garden and felt grass under the soles of my feet and between my toes. I moved around a bit whilst I was doing it to feel the air.
I know most people living in the inner city don’t have gardens, so pop into a park or green space during your normal day, find a clean and safe area, kick off your shoes and spend five minutes feeling nature.
Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
For day two, I just looked up at the sky, to watch the clouds passing over and feel their beauty. For those people who don’t have a garden and maybe live in flats, try going outside to just looking out of your window and watching from there.
Young Birder, Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
For day three, I smelt flowers in the garden, but if you don’t have a garden you could try this in a park or anywhere there are a few flowers, whether wild or not. Take in the smell and really enjoy it. Remember how good this feels.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
For day four and five, I did a garden bio blitz http://bit.ly/2147FuF, trying to find and record as many species in your garden in 24 hours.
The aim is to look in your garden, trying to find as many different species as possible, recording what you can identify.
If you live in the inner city without a garden, why don’t you leave on an outside light and go and have a look at the moths drawn to it? Notice the different ones in the light.
Young Birder Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
These are a few of my photographs from my 30 Days Wild last year.
30 Days Wild 2015 – Enjoying the plants in my garden but could be a park
30 Days Wild 2015 – Enjoying local woods but could be in a park
30 Days Wild 2015 – Enjoying the pond-life in my garden but could be a park
30 Days Wild 2015 – Smelling the flowers in my garden but could be in a park
30 Days Wild 2015 – Noticing a bumblebee in my garden but could be in a park
30 Days Wild 2015 – Enjoying a nature reserve but could be a place in the city
Today is the first day of 30 Days Wild 2016, an initiative of The Wildlife Trusts who state “This June, can you do something wild everyday for a month?”
What they are saying is that nature is everywhere, so by looking for it through your normal day, you should start to notice it and enjoy it.
This month is 30 Days Wild 2016, an initiative of The Wildlife Trusts who say “This June, can you do something wild each day for a month?”
They say that they don’t want you to give anything up for June, just give yourself time in the wild with your family, to reconnect with nature. 26,000 people have already signed up, but it would be great if you signed up to taking part at http://bit.ly/1WZnYKW.
This Friday, 3rd June 2016, is also the date of my conference, Race Equality in Nature. This is about getting Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) people out into nature http://bit.ly/1TnYiE1
The idea for the conference came after I organised a nature camp last year, Camp Avalon, when five BAME teenagers came along. The all found it hard to engage with nature in the ways that others did and we had to find a way that made a connection. Chris Griffin who was leading a birding walk talked to the boys about Peregrine Falcons and how when they dropped to catch their prey, they travelled faster than a Formula 1 car, then comparing both speeds. The boys were mesmerised – by nature.
I could see that everyone could feel connected to nature, however unlikely by their appearance and background.
So why are there so few BAME people out in nature? Our reserves, whether they are in the countryside or in the city, have few BAME people visiting. A recent Government Report shows that BAME children are far less likely to be taken to a even park or playground. There seem to be a huge number of factors effecting BAME people and their ability to go outdoors in the UK (even compared to home countries where maybe people are working outdoors). We hope that the conference will highlight some of these and what can be done to help.
So, for my 30 Days Wild, I have decided to connect with nature each day in a different way, that could feel relevant to BAME communities and practical if you live in an inner city area. Things that they can identify with and so might find it easier to try. I have been asking for suggestions from a range of communities, so that I can hopefully be inclusive. It would be brilliant to hear from you with your ideas.<
Some of my ideas are:
Visiting an open space in a large family group, play rounders and make lots of noise
Sit in a park or garden for 10 minutes practicing mindfulness/meditation/using prayer beads
For Muslims taking part in Ramadan throughout June, break your fast in a group in a garden or open greenspace (check where’s open in the evening), followed by doing your prayers outside
Reading your religious book outside (use a bench as a prop if you need one)
Student Islamic Society on a trip out
A child with autism
Ideas on The Wildlife Trust website include “feel nature through the soles of your feet”. That sounds pretty universal and so I thought I’d start with that, though of course, most BAME people in the inner city might have to go to a park to feel the grass in their toes.
Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig – 30 days wild day 1
Birdgirl Mya-Rose Craig – 30 days wild day 1
About The Author
Hi, I’m Dr. Mya-Rose Craig. I am a 19-year-old prominent British-Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as an author, speaker and broadcaster. At age 11 I started the popular blog Birdgirl, and at age 17 I became the youngest person to see half of the birds in the world.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
Lyrical, poignant and insightful.’ - Margaret Atwood
This is my story; a journey defined by my love for these extraordinary creatures. Because large or small, brown, patterned or jewelled, there is something about birds that makes us, even for just moments at a time, lift our eyes away from our lives and up to the skies.
