Emma Fennell Hodson
Black2Nature at Grow Wilder
Black2Nature
Black2Nature are an important Bristol based charity who provide opportunities for Visibly Minority Ethnic (VME) families and children to access nature and utilise the outdoors. They provide day trips, experiences and camps for young people and families to experience, learn about, engage with and enjoy nature. Avon Wildlife Trust supports and shares the aim that everyone has the right to access nature.
It's important to provide a safe and welcoming space in nature for everyone to experience and be part of. Nature connects everyone with their herritage. Benefits include positive impacts for mental health, learning opportunities and feeling that green spaces are for everyone.
There’s evidence and a strong perception that most opportunities to access the great outdoors are aimed at affluent white families. Black2Nature are working hard to tackle misconceptions and ensure the UK countryside is inclusive of VME people.
Emma Fennell Hodson
Emma Fennell Hodson
Black2Nature fights for equal access to nature for all, a right that we believe is fundamental in the same way we all have the right to access education or health. Everybody should have the benefit of being able to go out into green or natural spaces, not just for their enjoyment but also for their mental, physical and social wellbeing.
We know that nature has the power to inspire us and connect us to each other.Black2Nature
Emma Fennell Hodson
In the summer 2024, visits have included Skomer Island, Slimbridge, Weymouth, Grow Wilder and more. These nature experiences will provide powerful, impactful and joyful memories for the young people involved. It will increase their confidence to visit nature spaces again, feel safe in those spaces and potentially consider green careers in the future. In light of the ecological and climate emergency, it is future generations who will hold the power to campaign for and defend their communities and nature.
Black2Nature are paving the way forward to break the cycle and stand up for nature and against racism.
"We know that nature has the power to inspire people and connect them to each other... a community that is connected to nature is a stronger community." Black2Nature
Sophie Bancroft
Black2Nature
Black2Nature are on a mission to get more young people to experience nature. Black2Nature:
- Provide a safe space and teach young people to utilise the outdoors.
- Have a positive impact on mental health by being in nature.
- Break barriers to accessing nature.
It takes time to build trust with the families and young people. The importance of consistency of experiencing nature is huge, which builds confidence over time.
Avon Wildlife Trust support Black2Nature and other charities, organisations and community groups who strive for a nature-enriched future. Everyone has the fundamental right to access nature and should experience the benefits first-hand.
Barriers to accessing nature
Barriers to accessing nature are huge for many VME people through racism, unconscious biases and a strong history of wealthy white families being in public and private green spaces. Addressing these barriers can be a challenge, especially in light of the recent riots.
"There is significant institutionalised racism within the environmental and conservation sector. Only 0.6% of environmental professionals are VME. Young people hoping to enter the sector need significant support and mentoring to combat this — and the sector has to admit there is a problem and tackle it". Black2Nature.
Emma Fennell Hodson
Sophie Bancroft
Sophie Bancroft
Sophie Bancroft
Sophie Bancroft
Visting Grow Wilder
Black2Nature visited Grow Wilder in September 2024, to immerse themselves in nature and learn about wildlife gardening and what actions for nature can be taken at home and in local community spaces. Grow Wilder is a welcoming, safe and nature-enriched place with many facilities to learn and experience nature in a practical and theoretical sense. Everyone is welcome at Grow Wilder to learn, volunteer and spend time in nature.
The session with Black2Nature included pond dipping in the morning, in one of the many wildlife ponds on site. Walking around the site to discover, connecting with nature and noticing the abundance of wildlife as you walk around and learning about actions you can take to create habitats. Then taking this experience and inspiration on board to sit down in the afternoon to design their own wildlife friendly spaces where they live or choose to design.
Emma Fennell Hodson
Sophie Bancroft
Providing water for wildlife is one of the best actions you can take to bring nature back. Pond dipping is an amazing way to experience nature hands-on, with endless learning opportunities. It can hold the attention of most children, young people and adults. It creates lasting memories and can be super rewarding to discover aquatic life.
The Grow Wilder wildflower nursery sell pond and bog plants and will happily share advice about creating a wildlife friendly pond of any size, including micro ponds made out of washing up bowls.
Sophie Bancroft
Resources
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Advice given by the Team Wilder Community Ecologist, was made possible with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
(C) Hannah Bunn
Be part of Team Wilder
All actions for nature collectively add up and creates life for people and wildlife.
Share your actions for nature, like Tom by sharing and tagging @avonwt on social media and
Log your actions for nature on the map
