Danielle Smith

5 years running a kids' wildlife club & I never quite achieved my aim: to light a spark that ensures they will always care for & find joy in nature. Danielle volunteered, looked at Bystock Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve & said, "This would be a great place for a BioBlitz!" (1/2 serious scientific survey, 1/2 public engagement). Several months & lots of work later (in the midst of which Dani achieved 2:1 in her degree) we had a fantastic event! c200 people, all ages, came; Bystock was alive with happy faces finding creatures, making nest boxes, learning about lichens, playing games-a mix of survey & activity gave something for all. Her vision was clear, inspiring & spot on. Over 100 new species for the site were found; new DWT members joined, & comments like "awesome day" & "surpassed all expectations" were heard. Dani checked activities were safe, helpers were happy, solved problems, smiled, gradually limped more & more. She's had back problems most of her life; despite an operation, she struggled. In pain, never complained but pulled off the best event I've seen & gave happiness to many. My highlight? A boy -unstoppable smile of intense pride- told me he found a dark bushcricket, a first for the site "without my effort you wouldn't have known it was there!." He learnt the difference one person can make & the joy of interacting with nature. He has that spark now & it will never go out. & I, through helping, have finally achieved my aim. All thanks to Danielle Smith.