Nature conservation and climate change at the heart Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland’s new partnership with UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
Nature conservation and climate change at the heart Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland’s new partnership with UK’s largest nature conservation charity.
The new partnership will support young people passionate about environmental and conservation to create inspiring natural spaces and learn more about native wildlife.
RSPB Scotland will work with young volunteers from Scotland’s Young People’s Forest (SYPF) to provide knowledge and practical skills on how to create welcoming outdoor spaces and develop plans for establishing Scotland’s first forest to be designed, led and governed by young people. The forest group was formed in 2021 by Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland volunteers to support young environmentalists to develop their ideas for creating more welcoming and accessible woodland in Scotland.
Through Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland’s partnership with RSPB Scotland, young people from Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will also be supported to:
At RSPB-managed wildlife gem Baron’s Haugh in Motherwell Scotland’s Young People’s Forest Panel Member Finlay said this partnership demonstrated how vital it is to support young people’s involvement in conservation.
He added: “SYPF has changed my life for the better. It gave me opportunities, and it made me more confident and more outgoing. It’s a chance to make a difference. We’re going to manage this site and we’re going to change the world!”
Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive, Young Scot said:
“We are thrilled to be part of this important collaborative partnership which will support young people passionate about conservation to develop their ideas and work towards creating outdoor spaces for people to connect with nature.”
David Anderson, Warden at RSPB Scotland’s Baron’s Haugh nature reserve said:
“RSPB Scotland is really excited to support the Young People’s Forest. This is a partnership that allows us to help young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to make a positive change in their communities. Young people have a massive role to play in tackling the nature and climate crisis. We look forward to seeing how the project grows and develops over the next few months.”
Tim Frew, CEO, YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work commented on the launch of this exciting new project:
“This partnership gives the young people on our co-design panel the chance to gain vital skills in land and forest management from RSPB Scotland, and develop their ideas and confidence when they come to govern their own young people’s forest in the future. We hope that the wider youth work sector will be inspired by the SYPF activity at Baron’s Haugh to engage their own youth groups to take environmental and climate action in their own communities and natural space.”
Want to learn more about nature conservation and climate change?
Sharing their environmental passion with a wider audience, Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland climate enthusiasts got involved in some hands-on environmental work as part of a BBC Scotland documentary filmed at the North Lanarkshire RSPB nature reserve.