Meet the Youth Action Committee

"My name I Ness and I have undertaken a placement with Surrey Wildlife Trust during the 22/23 academic year as part of my Biological Sciences degree at the University of Surrey. I have been passionate about our natural world since the beginning of the climate change movement that erupted in schools and amongst young people alike several years ago now. My appreciation for the outdoors has also been evident from counting my DofE days as my favourite memories of school.

I am very excited and feel privileged to be a part of the Youth Action Committee as part of my journey to bettering wildlife and nature protection. The Trust has played a role in this relationship I have with the outdoors so am very excited to get stuck in and give back to other young people.

As co-chair, I am driven and proactive, taking on ideas from the team and Trust staff. The safe space that I believe the YAC holds is at the forefront of our culture and I hope it grows so more people our age are able to support and join in with our passions and visions for people and nature."

My name is Sophie and I’m a recent geography graduate from the University of Oxford. Witnessing the devastating effects of deforestation while growing up in Asia kickstarted my desire to learn more about conservation and to hopefully be part of the change desperately needed to find solutions to our current biodiversity crisis. Now working within the communications team for the Energy Institute, I understand the importance of creating informed and up to date events and content to help spread the message of our current environmental challenges to help co-create such solutions. 

Youth led action is action aimed to support those often unrepresented within traditional policy, so when considering the issue of climate justice, it is worth its weight in gold. As such, I am very excited to be a part of this youth action committee. 

Hi, I’m Ed and as you can see, I love walking in nature. I’ve been immersed in nature all my life and although I don’t work in the field, I have a great passion for conservation and the championing of our natural world. My passions lie largely in the ways we can increase our biodiversity and bioabundance through understanding and respecting nature. I am a massive fan of rewilding, rewetting, rewiggling, reanything basically.

I believe the young people of the world form the most nature positive generation yet, and I look forward to working with the committee to welcome as many young people into our natural world as possible. 

I have been involved with charities since my early days and really value their communities. I look forward to working with and being inspired by like-minded people. I hugely appreciate this opportunity to work with SWT and take action for nature.

I have loved studying geography, with elements of both the physical and social world woven into the course, it has helped me to appreciate the delicate balance of the environment and humans. With the ever increasing climate problem it is even more important to have more capable geographers that can help plan for future generations and ensure every animal that calls the world their home isn't at risk of dying out. As more of a human geographer living in London, I have appreciated more urban parts of the course where I can think about urban environments and their impact on animals, people and the weather. Looking towards the future and tackling problems of sustainability especially in the transport sector is a particular area of interest for me, with an independent research project on the impacts of the Croydon Tramlink gaining me an A* in the summer of Year 12. 

Having started at SWT as a work experience student in June 2022 I have continued to return and volunteer my time to help teach the younger generation about nature on their doorstep with the many holiday clubs and school activities Surrey Wildlife Trust runs. Joining the Youth Action Committee is another step forwards in helping give back to the local area and inspiring a new era of change and environmental passion in Surrey. I hope that in the time I am with the YAC, I can continually inspire people to think more about the natural world and consider the future of our planet just like I did with my passion for urban geography.

"My name is Aidan, I am 16 years old and I live in Guildford. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be involved with animals and nature in some way. I have enjoyed voluntary work in the past, whether that is surveying plants and butterflies on Pewley Down or making coffee at Cafe Zero. I am excited to become part of the Youth Action Committee, learn new skills, meet new people and help protect the environment. I have been inspired by the recent efforts of my community to purchase, protect and restore Pewley Meadows, in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust, to form an important wildlife corridor. This shows what can be achieved when communities come together. I have lived in Surrey for most of my life and I am looking forward to playing a small part in protecting its landscapes and wildlife."

Hey, I’m Josh. I’m 17 years old, and currently a student at George Abbot Sixth Form. I’ve had a huge love for the animal kingdom (especially the not-so-huge bugs!) from a tender age. Recently, plants have become a major part of my passion too. Nature is enchanting and laden with mysteries, and I’ve come to appreciate it more since lockdown. I am a dedicated nature nerd and will happily and/or accidentally spend my free time scanning through websites and books to learn about a topic I’m interested in. My ADHD is likely to blame… or thank. We have an, uh, on-off relationship.

The Youth Action Committee was very welcoming and getting to be part of this is an honour. I joined in April 2023 after hearing about it at a SWT event. Everyone is inclusive and friendly, and I say this as someone with social anxiety. I believe people like this can make Surrey a green ‘beacon of hope’ in this nature-deprived country. It’d be great to see your face at the next YAC organised event! Remember, no matter the size of your contribution, be that money, time or voice every little bit helps.

"Hello! I’m Matilda Warner, or Mati. I’m 24 years old, have a degree in English, and I live in Surrey, commuting a few days a week to my job as a Publicist at a publishing house in Bloomsbury, London. No matter where I am, I love to be among trees, nature, and wildlife, and I find joy and a moment of peace in a daffodil bravely popping up on the roadside, or the tweeting of a bird where you wouldn’t expect it. I’m a keen gardener, and I make a nature podcast.

I’m really looking forward to being part of a team in the Surrey Wildlife Trust Youth Action Committee, and putting forward ideas particularly on how we can use our gardens and public spaces to create pollen-filled paths and havens for insects, as I feel strongly about making our green space accessible not just for all people, but all bugs and animals, too."