Young people see the world with a fresh perspective. We ask different questions. We notice different things. And we can inspire each other to make a difference. When young people are genuinely included in decision making, the result is more inclusive, creative and innovative.Green Shoots at Grow Wilder
Community campfire: Youth-led
Charlie Tallis
Avon Wildlife Trust’s youth-led community campfire provided an opportunity to celebrate young people’s voices, platforming some of the amazing ways that under 30s are taking action for and connecting to nature locally.
As the summer draws to a close, and the nights start to get longer, the need for coming together over food, stories and hope feels more important than ever. Avon Wildlife Trust’s youth-led community campfire provided an opportunity to celebrate young people’s voices, platforming some of the amazing ways that under 30s are taking action for and connecting to nature locally. This intergenerational event allowed young people to meet, network with and learn from their peers, while offering a chance for people of all ages to gain an insight into young people’s priorities for and experiences in nature. Samosas and foraged drinks fueled conversation and laughter as people mingled, took part in nature games, and listened to talks from 5 inspirational young people: Etta, Sameya, Jessica, Max and Laughter.
Charlie Tallis
Etta, Sameya and Jessica are part of the Youth Leadership Group (YLG), and gave a talk about the Green Shoots at Grow Wilder Project they are working on. The YLG is a team of young people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences based in Bristol, working with Action for Conservation and Avon Wildlife Trust to reimagine a patch of land at Grow Wilder for both people and nature. The YLG collectively chose the name Green Shoots at Grow Wilder for the project, encapsulating their vision to bring an unused space to life in a way that helps the environment and builds a stronger, more connected community. The YLG have been exploring the past, present and future of the site by creating maps showing how the land has been used and valued over time. They have also begun surveying the wildlife on site, setting up camera traps, studying the soil, invertebrates, mammals and birds.
“Being part of this project has taught us so much, and not just about nature and history, but also about ourselves, our abilities and the power of people joining together…We’ve also grown our confidence in public speaking, teamwork and decision making and actions for nature whilst gaining so much knowledge and inspiration from each other at every visit” YLG
“Most importantly, being part of the YLG reinforces the power of having our voices truly heard. It makes us feel proud and confident that people can make a meaningful impact when they come together for a common cause.” – YLG
Etta, Sameya and Jessica ended with a powerful call to action, leaving people feeling hopeful that even small actions can make a big difference.
Charlie Tallis
“Your voice matters. You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference. All you need is passion, curiosity and the inspiration to stand up for what you’re passionate about. Change starts locally. It can begin with a patch of land, a conversation, a map, a question. You don’t have to wait to be older to care about or to lead change. We all have a role to play. Whether you’re planting trees, hosting or attending community events, protecting wildlife, making small changes, or talking about these issues, you’re helping to shape a better future.”- YLG
We then heard from Max, co-founder of the CitySprout card game which celebrates urban plants and allows people to enjoy natural beauty in cities.
Max recognized that it can be hard to make time to access green spaces in the hustle and bustle of urban life, and wanted to create a game that allowed people to connect to nature and plants, even from their own homes.
“A card game was chosen because it’s supposed to be familiar, comfortable, can be played at home with familiar people.” - Max
Max’s love of plants drove him to create this game, and becoming a finalist in the Woodland Trust’s Igniting Innovation Competition allowed him to make his dream a reality. Max approached local artist Ruby Scott-Geddes, who designed and illustrated all the plants for the CitySprout game. The have now set up the game as a Community Interest Company (CIC), and have card decks that you can buy, as well as free ones available for urban-based communities.
Max explained how the CitySprout game works: “Everyone is in charge of their own city, and they compete to make the most biodiverse city possible. You can choose whatever city name you like, it could be the Young Leaders Green Shoots Ville. Then they all go against each other and they collect urban plants with the aim of collecting lots of points.”
Max hopes that the game will bridge the gap from recognising to feeling a sense of love and familiarity with nature.
Emma Fennell Hodson
The talks ended with Laughter, who shared about his experiences of finding connection and belonging in nature after moving to the UK from Nigeria in 2022.
Laughter explained how he came to the UK with a career-driven mindset, but through getting involved with various nature-based activities and organisations, he found a new-found love and connection to the natural world.
“I grew up in an urban setting, nature wasn’t really a thing on my mind.” – Laughter
A key turning point for Laughter was when he attended a workshop hosted by Babbasa, where he took part in a silent walk in a park. “I just sat down and I really remember just gradually starting to notice the sounds of the birds, the wind, the breeze, the rustling of the trees, the leaves. And this is right in the centre, so there’s still cars going, there’s still Bristol’s national anthem- the sirens. But every now and then I’d hear a bird sound and I’d feel the breeze on my face and I was coming from such a space of a lot of stress, and I could just kind of feel all this other life around me as well existing at this very point in time… I could literally feel my focus and my consciousness shifting from being directed internally to outwards.”
Ever since then, Laughter started noticing nature more in his day-to-day life, recognising all the more than human life that we exist alongside. This new awareness and appreciation of nature drove him to get involved with other nature-based activities, like visiting the beach for the first time, nature trips to Pembrokshire, helping out with Street Goat, Birch Collective, CPRE, Birch Collective, Mafia Weekend, Eco Wild and others.
“There’s so much opportunity to do stuff like that here in Bristol that has the least barrier to entry. That’s been Bristol’s biggest gift to me apart from nature.” -Laughter
Laughter reflected on how nature and wild spaces in Nigeria and not well maintained, accessible or safe. When he came to the UK, he was blown away by public footpaths and large, accessible urban green spaces.
“When I’m out in nature, I don’t feel like I’m anything, I just feel like I am in that moment. I’m not black, or African, or a boy – we’re just existing together. Whether it’s it nurturing me, or me nurturing it, there’s that back and forth relationship.” -Laughter.
With bellies full of samosas and hearts full of inspirational stories and experiences, the evening drew to a close, with people chatting until the sun had set and the temperature began to drop. As we packed up and headed home, I was filled with the warmth and connectivity that community campfires bring, and felt proud and grateful to have gotten to spend an evening in such special company.
“We’re not just the future, we’re here right now, and we’re already making change”- YLG
Emma Fennell Hodson
Emma Fennell Hodson
Emma Fennell Hodson
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