This is episode two of our Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship documentary series, produced by My Media Creative as part of their Climate Warriors Series. Each film captures the incredible stories of four fellowship recipients, the projects they’ve championed, and how they have grown as environmental leaders.
Turning Vision into Reality
In the heart of New Brunswick’s sprawling forests and serene landscapes, Madeline Carr found her calling. Growing up in Tay Creek, surrounded by the wisdom of generations who made their living from the land and appreciated the blessings it afforded, Madeline developed a profound connection to nature, nurtured by familial ties to the forest and countless hours exploring the wilderness with her father.
When Madeline applied and was accepted for the Youth Action and the Environment Pilot Fellowship, M.Ruth Retreats was still in the form of a vision awaiting realization.
“When I first started with the fellowship, M.Ruth Retreats was just a prospectus. I had the vision, but I definitely did not have the means or the resources to launch, and it would have been years before I would have been able to, if ever.”
Madeline’s Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship Story
As one of four fellowship recipients, Madeline benefited from a year of comprehensive support from the Lawson Foundation, including funding, coaching, and workshops, allowing her to dedicate herself to the development of her project, from ideation to reality.
“It was really fulfilling to see my vision play out. It was a lot of work; I mastered many new skills, some of which I never thought I would necessarily need, and I also grew a lot, personally and professionally.”
Madeline launched M.Ruth Retreats, a bell tent glampground and community event space that will use excess revenue to fund free nature connectivity and leadership retreats for youth, in 2023, following a winter of intense planning and support – a testament to her determination and the transformative power of nurturing young environmental leadership.
Madeline remembered one significant moment that encapsulated her progress:
“Halfway through the summer, I made a video about where we started and where we were. That was an earth-shattering moment, just realizing that when we started, we didn’t even have any sites cleared, and within two months, we had three tents up, and we were starting to see progress toward our social goals.”
The Path of Growth and Leadership
Madeline’s growth in confidence in her project and herself as a leader has been a significant development in her journey. The support of the fellowship, alongside her family, partners, and the community, all helped validate her belief that she could inspire change and foster environmental stewardship among the next generation through her actions.
“I feel a lot more confident in my abilities and myself as an environmental leader. Believing in yourself is a big important part of going forward, so receiving the support and being admitted into the fellowship, realizing that a huge organization believed in my vision just as much as I did, was a huge confidence boost.”
Her experiences also underscored the importance of equipping young leaders with new skills, training, and even group learning, from project planning and communications to budgeting, all honed through interactions with mentors and peers within the fellowship.
“I also built skills related to project planning, communications, and budgeting, and a lot of that came through discussions with my mentors. I saw three other amazing fellowship projects take off this year, which was a good reminder in the moment that incredible things are happening all around, and you’re never alone as an environmental leader.”
The Collective Strength of Community
One of the key lessons from Madeline’s experience is the power of community and collaborative support in achieving one’s goals. The journey of M.Ruth Retreats, while driven by Madeline’s vision, was amplified by the collective efforts of those who believed in her and her project.
“It’s possible to do things alone, but it’s a lot easier when you have others helping you, supporting you, or even encouraging you in subtle ways. That’s where the help and work of my family, especially my father and stepmother, have been particularly important to building M.Ruth Retreats.”
Madeline emphasized the importance of finding a supportive community and leveraging opportunities for growth and development. Her advice to aspiring environmental leaders is to seek out networks that foster innovation and support, encouraging them to step beyond their fears toward realizing their potential.
“Find a community so you can have support systems and be surrounded by like-minded individuals to inspire you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; don’t let the fear of failure hold you back from applying for funding and scholarship programs because they can be the trigger to achieving very cool things.”
Building appreciation through environmental exposure
Madeline Carr’s story is a vivid reminder of the potential within young people to effect meaningful change when they are empowered to pursue their dreams. Through M.Ruth Retreats, she not only offers a gateway to nature for today’s youth but also lays the groundwork for tomorrow’s environmental leaders.
“I’ve always believed that young people can have a huge impact, especially when they are enabled to develop a greater appreciation and understanding for the environment and natural places. I have this belief because it is something I’ve experienced, so in building M.Ruth Retreats, I am hoping to inspire other youth to take environmental action fueled by their own connections to nature, formed during visits to my site.
I would definitely say that I saw examples of that over the first year. Watching children who came with their families this summer, asking questions and being curious about what they were seeing around them has been such an incredible outcome.”
Building appreciation through environmental exposure
As M.Ruth Retreats continues to evolve, Madeline’s aspirations for the project and her personal growth remain inspired, with plans to continue growing M.Ruth Retreats. Meanwhile, Madeline hopes to integrate her experiences developing the project with a Master’s degree to research the impact of exposure to nature on environmental advocacy efforts in youth.
“I’m excited for another season at M. Ruth Retreats and to implement our first youth cohort this year. During my master’s degree, I hope to use M.Ruth Retreats as a case study to explore the types of environmental connections that inspire advocacy and leadership, running pilot retreats and receiving feedback so that I can draw beyond my own experience as I build my research.
There’s going to be lots of learning and growing on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to it!”
Madeline’s inspiring journey encapsulates many of the reasons why the Lawson Foundation views the Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship Initiative as such a success.
For Madeline, what at first was a nuanced and innovative environmental action idea that lacked the resources to get off the ground has now become an impactful and self-sufficient initiative that facilitates meaningful immersive experiences in nature akin to those of Madeline’s childhood, which inspired her connection to the environment and her drive to protect it.
You can learn more about M.Ruth Retreats here and connect with Madeline on Linkedin here. We encourage you to explore ways to support her work, including sharing her social media pages and visiting the M.Ruth Retreats site!
Amanda Mayer