An article this wk spoke of lack of diversity in rural spaces. I propose a move away from this deficit model, to focus on the expertise, joy & value that diversity brings into rural spaces. Thru celebrating our unique heritage stories we can blend ideas & practice together. 🧵 Living & working in rural Dorset for 20+ years (which is 96% White) - empathy, listening & collaboration across communities can transcend hostility & misunderstanding. We can work together to create harmonious experiences that benefit ppl & nature.

Do you want the reality for POC in our sector?
Lets get down to some details. All based on my own observations:
"Look at how bad you made us all feel!" bunch of white people in response to my thread discussing my lived experiences of rural racism. 🧵
#AzeemRafiq "People like you don't move to places like this" when I mused over why the sector is still so white & why after 15 years I was still the only Brown face in the room. No recognition or understanding of a sectoral wide problem.

Thank you so much! I couldn't have dreamed that 2 years ago when I was at my lowest, that I would ever reach so high. I have so many people to acknowledge and thank on this journey 💚🥳🧵#NDA #NDA20 #PositiveRoleModel #NationalDiversityAwards #Winner @itvnews

https://twitter.com/ndawards/status/1440297827939205120

My family, @Johnson72Martin & kids are my bedrock, holding me up and keeping me strong. They understand the late nights & weekends I have to work in my pursuit for equity in the sector. They are also great at knowing how the oven works so they can feed themselves! 1/10

We are so proud of Sarita raising over £150 for @WaterAidUK by walking 12km across 2 hillforts & Dorset trails! An amazing achievement for a 9 yo who believes all children should have clean water & toilets. Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/an… #saritawalks4wateraid @RamblersGB Don't believe how hard Hambledon Hill & Hod Hill were for 9 yo legs? Take a look at this! Phew 😅 But they were stunning to walk over 😍 @nationaltrust @NTSouthWest #saritawalks4wateraid

#MiniJurassicgirl is walking 12km on @RamblersGB trail today to raise money for @WaterAidUK. We are on our way to start, she is pumped & excited to help children have clean water and toilets 😃

#JustGiving justgiving.com/fundraising/an… We are walking over 2 hillforts and across the Dorset countryside. It's tough, long and we are behind her, supporting her all the way!

As a recipient of RH Worth Medal from @geolsoc, I have written a statement of thanks to all of whom I am indebted to. I may have missed people, so apologies but you are all in my heart & memory. TL/DR Cheers everyone, this was for my daughter Sarita 💖
geolsoc.org.uk/About/Press-Of… Thank you for this incredible honour @geolsoc. For me it marks an important milestone in my career that I have dedicated to helping ppl of all ages learn abt rocks, fossils and landforms. That journey began with Helen Hastings, my Geography teacher @UCGSchool, she inspired me 🤩

Watch my love letter to the Jurassic Coast on @ITV @TitchmarshShow #LoveYourWeekend now on ITV Player
Tune in at 51:52.

I really speak from the heart about why I love rocks, fossils and landscapes. Enjoy! 💚 #jurassiccoast

itv.com/hub/love-your-… For guided fossil walks try @CharmouthHCC or @LymeRegisMuseum, they will teach you how to look safely along the beaches here and train you how to look for and collect fossils. Until you can visit, why not visit @DarrellWakelam to make your own versions!
darrellwakelam.com/downloads

Why does the confidence & ability of Black and Asian ppl to group and share experiences in places where they feel less welcome cause racists to be triggered? A thread @UkBgh @itsanitarani @BBCCountryfile @ndawards 1/
metro.co.uk/2021/01/22/cou… PoC have always loved nature. My family are from Kenya, our ancestors from Rajasthan, migrating & navigating vast landscapes is in our blood. But we have always visited in places in the UK in large numbers. Why? This photo (c1984) has 3 families on holiday at the Isle of Wight 2/

We must recognise how our science grew & profited frm colonialism & slavery. The subjugation & oppression of Black ppl over the ages funded & supported Victorian collectors so the natural sciences could flourish. We owe Black ppl a huge dept for their toil, pain and sacrifice 1/ I was utterly distraught to discover that Henry De La Beche was a slaveowner using the proceeds of his plantation to fund and support Mary Anning. Her discoveries launched the science of Palaentology and today we celebrate that world class fossil heritage on the Jurassic Coast 2/

Designing learning content for #COVID19? In a paper published last yr, I wrote a tried & tested model for creating content appealing to various audience types. Perfect for educators now to help reach family audiences. Some FREE advice follows (DM/tweet me for paper) 1/ What do family audiences want right now? My feeling is entertainment and some education. Keep it light touch, playful and not too onerous or time consuming. Children are loving anything that makes them laugh, imagine or be silly vicarously through others.