National Trust and Youngwilders launch youth-led nature recovery projects across england
Hundreds of young people are being given the chance to lead nature recovery projects across England through a new partnership between the National Trust and youth-led environmental organisation Youngwilders.
The programme has been created to put young people at the centre of restoring habitats in the Peak District, North Devon and Somerset, while helping them gain practical ecological skills, conservation experience and access to paid environmental roles.
The first project began at Dalehead in the Peak District, where more than 25 young people recently surveyed peatland, woodland and grassland habitats. Similar youth-led projects are due to take place later this year at West Lyn in North Devon and Manor Fields in Somerset.
Youngwilders was founded in 2022 by five young nature enthusiasts who wanted to encourage more people their age to take an active role in responding to biodiversity loss and climate challenges. Working alongside the National Trust, the organisation will help young participants lead restoration work across some of England’s most important landscapes.
An initial investment of more than £100,000 has been committed to the three projects through National Trust funding and support made possible by players of the Postcode Lottery. The funding will cover travel costs, equipment, training and hands-on learning opportunities designed to reduce barriers to participation.
Across the three sites, around 240 hectares of National Trust land will be restored for nature. At Dalehead, a five-year programme will support nature recovery across 200 hectares near Kinder Scout and Mam Tor. In North Devon, a three-year project at the 58-hectare West Lyn site near Lynton and Lynmouth will focus on reconnecting habitats and supporting biodiversity. Manor Fields on the Mendip Hills will also see a three-year programme restoring woodland, wetlands, species-rich grassland, hedgerows and traditional orchards across 19 hectares.
Participants will help lead habitat surveys, tree planting, pond creation, conservation grazing and ecological monitoring. Paid Wild Steward roles will also be created to give young people direct experience of managing nature recovery projects in their local areas.
The National Trust says the work will help create a blueprint for youth-led nature recovery that could be expanded to other sites in future. The announcement follows wider National Trust environmental initiatives, including research into how climate change is affecting seasonal blooms across England and projects encouraging communities to create more wildlife-friendly spaces.
Young people aged 18 to 30 can register for volunteering opportunities and free ecological training through Youngwilders’ website.
Interested in how nature recovery projects are changing landscapes across Britain? Follow EyeOnLondon for more environmental and conservation reporting.
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