Dara McAnulty always had a passion: nature.
“I’m a naturalist, writer and environmental campaigner,” he says.
In 2019, at the age of 15 years 209 days, Dara became the youngest recipient of the RSPB Medal for conservation.
By achieving the RSPB Medal (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) the 2004-born naturalist joined a long list of illustrious names such as Sir David Attenborough, Chris Mead and King Charles III (then Prince of Wales in 2010).
Dara may be young, but he has talent in spades.
“Every year we recognize those individuals who inspire us all to celebrate, discover and be amazed by our natural world,” said Claire Barnett, RSPB Senior Conservation Officer.
"I have worked tirelessly, though, and campaigning for nature has taken over my life,” Dara admitted. “To be rewarded for my efforts is a great honour and responsibility.”
Thanks to this unprecedented accomplishment, in 2022 he joined the ranks of Guinness World Records’ Young Achievers, awe-inspiring record holders who are shaping the world through their actions, discoveries and words.
"Becoming a Young Achiever in the Guinness World Records book was mind blowing," he added.
I received the book for Christmas every year as a kid, so to see my story amidst wonderful talent and inspiration was such an honour - Dara
“It’s my passion to help protect our environment by teaching others all about animal conservation," Dara says. "I especially love birds!”
The record holder was diagnosed with autism and Asperger's as a youngster.
Growing up at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland, Dara has always been vocal about his love for the environment: a passion that grew with the years and became a true vocation, especially after he started blogging at the young age of 12. Dara said that writing about nature helped him cope with his difficulties.
This intense connection with nature is immediately noticeable in the words of his memoirs (Diary of a Young Naturalist and the more recent Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature) and in the divulgation efforts he continuously shares with the world through his social platforms.
Every creature is important and just letting nature have its place in our lives; is the best place to start. To me, being an activist means caring for nature and sharing that passion with everyone you meet - Dara
According to Dara, young generations and grown-ups should team up to face the inevitable climate changes.
“Working together to bring about the changes we so desperately need for a healthy planet needs everyone to understand what’s at stake and I do feel that young people have elevated that, in partnership with experts and organizations.”
It's also important to remember that everyone can help the environment through daily gestures.
From planting flowers in your garden to respecting all kinds of wildlife, from endangered species to the tiniest spider, small acts of respect can truly change the world.
Having the chance to study wildlife - also with the support of his community, friends and family - gave Dara's life “purpose and a meaning,” Dara said.
“As an autistic person, I find the calm and focus required to watch wildlife very therapeutic,” he continued.
“I think having the ability to delve deeply into your passions is very important for autistic people, to feel valued by society is essential to our mental health and well-being.”
“Our fast-paced society has pushed nature to the fringes,” he says, in a call to action for educators and leaders. “We need everyone, especially educators and those in power, to get the message out there that we are dependent on nature.”
Young people do have refreshing ideas and energy that older generations could gain insight from, but we should all be working together. The changes we so desperately need for a healthy planet require everyone to understand what’s at stake - Dara
In 2020, Dara debuted with Diary of a Young Naturalist, a powerful memoir based on the entries in his personal blog.
The award-winning work follows Dara’s wildlife observations between his 14th and 15th birthday, and portrays an intense connection with nature through the young record holder's voice and emotions.
The book won several accolades, starting with the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing - becoming the youngest author in history to be shortlisted for the award.
This success was followed by an illustrated book: Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature.
Dara’s secret for a successful blog?
“Write about something you’re passionate about. Keep practising your writing and improving your style; make it unique to you.”
Although Dara is the youngest person ever to receive the important conservation accolade, the RSPB Medal has been awarded annually by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds since 1908.
Originally an all-women movement, the UK-based Royal Society for the Protection of Birds originated in 1889 from the work of philanthropists Emily Williamson and Eliza Phillips.
With conservation and education as core values, the group protested against the use of feathers and exotic plumes in fashion: a cruel but sadly widespread practice that was driving several bird species towards extinction.
In 1930, the RSPB opened its first nature reserve and continued to grow.
The society also holds the record for the oldest bird-conservation charity.
“Dara has inspired and engaged thousands of children and adults to speak up to campaign on issues including climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and the persecution of birds of prey," says Claire Barnett.
To this day, Dara continues to write and educate the community about themes such as nature and inclusiveness.
After he started studying Natural Science at Cambridge, in December 2022 Dara was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the environment and people in the autistic community.
We certainly can't wait to see the positive impact that Dara's efforts will have on the activists, naturalists and writers of tomorrow.
I think having the ability to delve deeply into your passions is very important for autistic people, to feel valued by society is essential to our mental health and well-being - Dara
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