One big problem I have with the way conservation and environmental organisations generally are now being run is the unbelievably intimidating exterior appearances they maintain, keeping the exploration of the natural world (and yes, I am speaking in sweeping generalisations here) solely to the elite few. I honestly can't count the number of such organizations' websites I have visited, many of them poorly designed (probably the lack of funding too!) and overall lacking in the answers an innocent person who happened to click through would want. It really can't be that hard. What we need is a way for your average person, your everyday Joe or Bob or Smith to learn about the infinite beauty and capacity to amaze that the natural world holds over us all. It's for this reason that I started the Sydney Naturalists group- bringing together people from all walks of life and background for just one morning a month to get out in nature and learn something new. I mean, if I can do it anyone can!

For me, nature is our most underappreciated and misunderstood aspect of everyday life. Even within the busiest street in Sydney's urban centre, there is nature in the form of Australian ibis probing our bins for a tasty morsel, and of course the ever-present rock pigeons. I'm 16 and I can see this- yet few people can, and I think that's a real shame. It's about time that we gave nature the credit it deserves for all the countless spiritual and physical benefits it freely gives to us, and stop abusing our power over its many forms.