Dara McAnulty
Age: 17
Country: UK
Special skill: Conservation and writing
I’m a naturalist, writer and environmental campaigner. Being a naturalist means I know a lot about plants and animals. It’s my passion to help protect our environment by teaching others all about animal conservation – I especially love birds!π¦π¦π¦
My Guinness World Records title is for the youngest recipient of the RSPB Medal.
RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
It felt really strange to receive this medal.π
Previous recipients have dedicated their lives to conservation, so I wondered if it was premature!
I have worked tirelessly, though, and campaigning for nature has taken over my life. π£
To be rewarded for my efforts is a great honour and responsibility. π
Why I love watching wildlife π³π¦π
As an autistic person, the calm and focus required to watch wildlife can be very therapeutic. π
I think having the ability to really delve deeply into your passions is very important for autistic people, to feel valued by society is essential to our mental health and well-being. π€
Everyone is dependent on nature
Our fast-paced society has pushed nature to the fringes. ππ±πΊ
We need everyone, especially educators and those in power, to get the message out there that we are dependent on nature. ππ
Young people do have refreshing ideas and energy that older generations could gain insight from, but we should all be working together. π¦π€π΅
The changes we so desperately need for a healthy planet require everyone to understand what’s at stake.
I have always been fascinated by nature and so being able to not only have the opportunity to enjoy wonderful experiences with my family, but also share this with the world; it has given my life purpose and meaning.
Dara McAnulty
How to get involved in environmental activism πβ»οΈ
I would start with your own garden, if you have one. Letting an area of your grass grow long or having pots of wildflowers can really help nature. πΌπ±π»
Make small changes – don’t step on the beetle, don’t kill that spider! π«ποΈπ·οΈ
Every creature is important and just letting nature have its place in our lives; that’s the best place to start.
What does it mean too be an activist?
To me, being an activist means caring for nature and sharing that passion with everyone you meet. ποΈπ₯°
It feels so good to be a part of the GWR family! We have the GWR book in our Christmas pile every year and my dad has his old childhood copies. So, itβs such a cool thing.
Dara
My plans for the future
When I’m older and a working biologist, I would like to explore other global habitats to study them and learn from their amazing wildlife. π―π¦
I would love to visit the Black Forest in Germany, they have bears! π»
I haven’t really seen very many cetaceans, so I definitely want to see Orca or Humpback whales too. π³