"Raising voices of planet-positive changemakers who are working towards a more brilliant tomorrow."
Introducing Mya-Rose
Maya-Rose spoke on a shared stage with Greta Thunberg, writes articles, and appears across our media leading the charge for equal access to nature and ethnic diversity in the environmental sector. At only 17, she became the youngest British person to be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science. Her first book, We Have A Dream, highlights the work of 30 young environmentalists of colour from around the world, her second book, Birdgirl, is a memoir in which she writes about growing up with family Bipolar Disorder and how birds allowed them to cope. Both books have been nominated for book awards. Her third book, Flight, is a children’s book about bird migration and is due out on 15th June 2023.
What was the moment you knew you had to dedicate your time to your cause?
I had been going birding with my parents and older sister from when I was a baby and birding was something that I always loved. Whenever we were outside, we were the only Visible Minority Ethnic family birding or even on walks. When I was 13 years old I found out about nature camps for teenagers in the USA and so decided to organise one myself. Although it was almost full, I realised that there were no Visible Minority Ethnic teenagers booked on. So I talked to lots of people within our communities, as I am British Bangladeshi, and managed to find 5 boys to come to the camp. It was hard, but we managed to engage all of them with nature and the environment. That led to me setting up my charity Black2Nature, which runs lots of nature camps and events each year. At each, there are moments when each child connects with nature for the first time, for example connecting with a living thing, that still makes me feel joyous.
How do you keep motivated when it feels one step forward and two steps back?
I always feel grateful for the small things, such as the smiles on the faces of the children the first time they release a bird from their hands or overcome their fears by holding a moth or butterfly. Many of our children are suffering from the impact of years of austerity with food poverty being a huge issue. Ayesha who runs all the camps and events is very caring and I am really proud of her and everyone involved with Black2Nature.
What does a diamond represent to you?
My first thoughts about diamonds are that of diamond mines and oppression but then I think of a thing of beauty created by nature and how fantastic our plant is.
What would you say to Mother Nature if you could shout it up to the Sky?
Mother Nature, you are fantastic, in your beauty, tranquility, peace and in giving us what we need for our mental health in order to survive. I am sorry that we take what is yours as if it belongs to us and hope that humankind can change before you have gone for good.
Who are you currently most encouraged by that will help us deliver a more brilliant tomorrow for people or planet?
I am most encouraged by the children that I have met, who want something better for the future, who want to save our planet and the people on it. Everytime we hold a nature camp or event, I am hopeful of our brighter future.
www.birdgirluk.com - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
https://black2nature.org - Twitter, Instagram, Facebook