So the Glover Report finds significant disparity about BAME communities & their disconnection with nature. To celebrate 16 years of living & working in rural Dorset/East Devon here is my lifechanging THREAD republished 1 yr later. 1/

I grew up in Slough, went to work in the USA after PhD. I was inspired by National Park Service approach to engage audiences with nature. I returned to the UK to develop a new learning programme to help schools engage with rocks, fossils and landforms. 2/

An Asian in the countryside, I faced suspicion, hostility and isolation. I was considered exotic by some, belittled by others. I was often & still am the only BAME face in the room 15 YRS ON. Witnessing White Privilege became the norm for me. 3/

At events & meetings, esp about engaging ppl wiht nature, I am more than often the lone voice standing up & speaking for diversity. I make ppl feel uncomfortable by being the face of issues they cannot or do not want to understand 4/

In pubs, cafes, restaurants, on the coast path or in the landscape, I stand down stares from ppl thinking "What is someone like YOU doing here?". I make a point of sharing my for nature with my mixed heritage daughter. Nature belongs to her too. 5/

I have trained 1000's of teachers 2 appreciate the value of World Heritage & Earth Science delivered in a way that champions sustainability & diverse thinking. They are my greatest achivement over my long career. 6/

I have met children who were surprised that I spoke English, parents who were worried that I would advocate & justify terrorism (post 7/7) & I witnessed ppl who would make racist or sexist jokes in front of me 7/

All this after an academic career where I was bullied, intimidated, sexually harassed. In those early years there was no protection or allies for me then No #MeToo , noone to speak to. I left academia to inspire & help others share my love for Earth Science 8/

Despite the relentness of being othered and deep feelings of isolation I feel everyday - I feel immense joy and connection with the landscape I live in. I like cities, I like London but it is incomparable to the majesty and beauty of where I live in Dorset 9/

In these rocks & coastal forms, these beautiful green hills, the vastness of the seascape; I can see beyond my personal struggles to realise that everyone should have an opportunity to experience what I see and do everyday. 10/

I have tried to help ppl from underserved communities, I supported a primary school exchange between Portland & Southall. Brown children seeing the sea for the first time, white children meet Brown children for the first time. Overwhelming & emotional 11/

The Glover Report takes nature organisations to task for not doing enough, Too much is tokenistic, unsustainable and safe. In fact ONLY 0.8% of National Parks and AONBs have BAME board members 12/

In my 20+ yrs in the sector, it is only since the report was published, since events last year that I am now being consulted on my lived experiences concerning BAME ppl and the natural environment. My voice is finally heard & I am @ndawards Finalist as a Positive Role Model 13/

So what should happen now? Change on a big scale. Listen to us, hear us and make change happen so our voices are heard. Stop being comfortable, feeling safe and open yourselves up to being challenged. Amazing things will happen and all lives will change for the better. End

PS. I published this exactly 1 year ago. With slight modifications, it is as I wrote it then. My thoughts, feelings, expressions of lived experiences would set off a chain of events that were orchestrated to condemn me but instead they empowered my voice, spirit & commitment

In the last year I have battled depression, eating disorders and severe anxiety brought on by the trauma of injustice. 1 yr on, I still suffer - but with help & support I have rebuilt myself, found my inner strength and helped others learn and be inspired by my journey.

I want you all to know that I am grateful for your huge support, love and the important platform you have given me for my voice. I continue to rise and champion change wherever I can for the benefit of those who need it most