Ready to make a difference in your community? Join us for an inspiring online event focused on exploring the role of community organising in creating meaningful action for nature and people. Featuring a panel discussion, Q&A session, and an interactive workshop, this event will explore how we can all play a part in creating a greener, fairer world. This event is for folks aged 16-35 and is hosted by London Wildlife Trust & Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust.

What to Expect:

• Insights from Esteemed Panellists: Gain first-hand knowledge from our experienced panellists as they share their unique journeys of creating change within their communities, including both the triumphs and challenges they face along the way.
• Interactive Discussions: Engage in an open, facilitated discussion and participate in a dynamic Q&A session. This is your chance to ask questions and interact directly with the panellists, gaining deeper insights into their work.
• ‘Making Your Mark’ workshop: Take part in an interactive workshop to dive deeper into your own social ecosystem, understanding more about the role you can play, and connecting with others to begin catalysing change in your community. Led by Aisha Mahmood.

Panellists and hosts:
Samia Dumbuya (She/They) – Facilitator & Community Organiser
A climate justice advocate who focuses on upskilling and educating young people and marginalised communities in the UK to be active climate changemakers. They are also a researcher for The Wildlife Trusts and Uprising, supporting their research to understand young people’s connection to nature. For the past 8 years, they have been facilitating workshops dedicated to climate education to ensure young people understand the significance of how the climate crisis and the deterioration of the environment impact their lives and other people’s lives. Samia uses community engagement as a tool to create space for people to imagine climate-just futures for all and take action on a local level.

Anisa Saleh – Black Girls Hike UK/ Life Coach, Trainer & Health & Wellbeing Facilitator
With strong connections to social, racial and environmental justice, Anisa works with Black Girls Hike which encourages diversity and representation for black women in outdoor spaces. She is passionate about nature and works with a range of organisations to develop partnership opportunities to increase peoples’ connection to the natural world, conservation and the outdoor sector.

Mayama Arefin (fungi.future) – Artist and Facilitator
Maymana Arefin (she/they) is a community gardener, multimedia artist and spoken word poet based in south London. Their work connects the mycelial threads between the mind/body, re-imagining an unjust world and the politics of hope. In 2020, Maymana founded @fungi.futures, a space to map radical alternative futures guided by their love for our fungal ancestors. They are strongly committed to justice – in all of its forms – and believes that the starting point in order to realise this, is to prioritise care.

Nazia Sultana – Founder of Sustainably Muslim
Founder of Sustainably Muslim, a Community Interest Company dedicated to empowering Muslims to champion environmental stewardship. Through a diverse array of initiatives such as events, workshops, volunteering opportunities, and the innovative Two Billion Strong project, she inspires individuals to embrace their role in nurturing both the environment and their communities.

Ramandeep Nijjar – Organiser at UK Youth for Nature
Ramandeep is currently a Zoology student at the University of Reading. She is a dedicated nature campaigner, young changemaker and passionate about sustainability, climate justice and social action. She is currently a key organiser for UK Youth for Nature which is a team of youth creative campaigners, youth representative for British Trust for Ornithology and an ambassador for Nature Positive Universities. She is also a core team member working on an upcoming youth-led nature storytelling podcast titled ‘Generation Nature.’

Lira Valencia – Outside with Lira
known on social media as the Urban Wildlife Queen or via her ‘outside with Lira’ handle. Lira works at Walthamstow Wetlands as a Ranger, when she isn’t on the reserve she is creating relatable nature content to help break down the barriers to enaging with nature. Working with her community in Croydon she works with her friends and neighbours at Soul Food Gardens and often leads workshops and guided walks in green spaces around London.

Chantelle Lindsay (chantellenaturelle) – Presenter & Nature in Mind Coordinator at London Wildlife Trust (Event Host)
A Wildlife Conservationist & Presenter, Chantelle was the project officer of the Great North Wood project, connecting with local communities across 5 boroughs to recover their local woodlands in South London. She now leads the Nature in Mind project at London Wildlife Trust, delivering a social prescribing nature and art therapy project focused on supporting young people’s mental health in Newham. Chantelle co-presents CBeebies’ Teeny Tiny Creatures with Rory Crawford and has featured on Blue Peter, Springwatch, the CBeebies’ Prom and has even presented on our own Wildlife Trust Youtube series, Wildlife Watch.

Aisha Mahmood – Youth Action for Nature Manager at Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust (Event Organiser/Workshop Lead)
Aisha is Youth Action for Nature Manager at Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust, spearheading the Nextdoor Nature initiative where she aims to facilitate and empower young people to take action for nature in ways that are meaningful for them. She pays particular attention to those who have been traditionally excluded, or who face personal and social barriers to nature connection. Aisha brings over 16 years of experience in community organising, a commitment to decolonial practice and social justice, and an academic background in anthropology and sociology.

Lois Donegal – Communities and Youth Communications Officer at London Wildlife Trust (Event Organiser)
Lois leads on youth communications and the Nextdoor Nature initative in London, their experience centres community organising and communications with a focus on engaging diverse audiences through accessible content. Co-Founder of Solidaritree, a collective championing inclusivity within the environmental movement. With a background in social change, environmental justice and organising with young people to create change in their local community.

Event Highlights:

• Connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to making a difference.
• Learn best practices and share your own experiences.
• Explore how to organise your community for meaningful environmental action.

Whether you’re just starting out or already involved in community projects, this event is for you! Come with ideas, leave with an action plan. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from experts, and be inspired to take action in your own community. Together, we can make a difference for nature and people!