Inspired by Nature: Connor’s story

Authors: Connor AFC Ambassador

Meet Connor, aged 12 from London. He first joined the Action for Conservation (AFC) Summer Camps in 2025, where he spent time in nature, tried new activities, and made friends for life. What started as a chance to get outside soon became something more meaningful. Now an AFC ambassador, Connor is taking positive action for nature alongside his peers and encouraging more young people to do the same. Read on to discover his journey.

Until Wednesday 29th April 2026, you can donate to AFC’s Time In Nature campaign, every donation made will be doubled, meaning your generosity will go twice as far! You can donate to support more young people like Connor below:

Why do you enjoy spending time in nature?

I love spending time in nature because I discover new things, and I learn how to do different things. I also love going out into nature, because I get to help protect the environment, which I love doing, it’s important to me. When I'm in nature, it feels really peaceful. There's no sirens. There's no people shouting. It's your own private space. It's really relaxing. Because of my experiences with AFC, I've become more in touch with nature. Ever since the Summer Camp, everything became easy. I've started to do more things, more nature activities, more frequently, to get more used to them.

“Being myself in my eyes, means to be able to express myself, rather than have to be judged by everyone when I try to do the things that I love. I feel that I can be myself in nature. “

The impact of being in nature is nice, it can help your mental health, because you might find it calming. I feel very proud of all the good deeds and actions I've taken for the environment, so it’s very positive.

What is it like spending time in nature with other young people?

I feel really comfortable around other young people, because I know that they're in nature for the same reason I am. Also, they're all mostly my friends, so I enjoy spending time with them because I know I'm not going to get lonely or bored. It is definitely more fun and motivating to be in nature together, because you know you're not alone. You know there's other people that care for the environment, and it feels really nice to know that people are there for the environment with you.

I think it is very important to allow more young people to go out  into nature as they might be very creative with their ideas, so they could make a huge impact on the environment. Another point is that supporting young people into nature with their friends gets them off indoor gadgets, like phones.

What activities have you enjoyed during the Ambassador and Summer Camp programmes at AFC?

At the Summer Camp I got to try bat watching for the first time, which was really cool, because we went out during the night when they’re active, and it was really fun to see.

During the Ambassador Programme, I definitely enjoyed when we went to Knepp Wildlands and we made dams to prevent flooding and reduce the water flow, and our most recent trip to Hampton Court Palace to learn how to sew and mend, which is really fun! We sewed a design onto a pocket, designed by us with colours of our choice, and my design was a tree with stars and flowers. I chose this design because it felt really calming and it stood out really nicely.

Being part of the Ambassador Programme is great. As well as being able to see my friends, I'm able to do more activities with them, which can help the environment.

“I think it is important for young people to have access to nature so that they can explore that side of the world and see what they should care for later on in their life.”

How do you feel when you take part in AFC Programmes?

I felt really good because I knew that I was making a big impact on the world, and I'm very pleased that, being a part of these programmes. I've learned that I can do things that I thought I couldn't. Something that really surprised me throughout all the programmes at AFC is the fact that I made friends, and that everyone I met through it I got along with, because before I thought I was going to be lonely the whole time.

How would you like to spend time in nature in your day to day life?

I would love to spend more time in nature with lessons at school, because at the same time you get to learn things, you get to do fun activities with school friends, and at least you're not sitting in a classroom all day. You can also be actually experiencing the topics that you're supposed to be learning about.

Young people need time in nature. Time to be themselves, time to be free, time to act together.

Until Wednesday 29th April 2026, all donations made to our Time In Nature campaign will be doubled, meaning your generosity will go twice as far. You can donate to support more young people like Connor below.