This year, we are excited to be focusing on growing our Youth Action for Nature programme, which is designed to create more opportunities for young people (aged 16-30) with an interest in wildlife. We plan to host more tailored events, at least one a month on a weekend, and have more regular communication sharing ways to get involved across Surrey. This will sit alongside the Youth Action Committee but offer a lower commitment option for young people to learn more about wildlife and meet like minded people.
In January at Nower Wood, we had our first youth event of the year with a fully booked woodland management training course. We learnt about the history of woodland management, why we need to manage our woodland sites and the different techniques used. We also got our hands dirty and did some holly clearance and coppicing - a very impressive team effort getting a lot done. Attendees were able to earn a AQA certification upon completion of the course.
Our February event was a volunteer day hosted by our Reserves Team at Whitmoor Common, where attendees cleared invasive pine trees and birch trees on this heathland site to help maintain the important biodiversity of the heathland which would otherwise scrub over.
Over the year we have more exciting events coming up, from poetry bat walks, plant ID training, practical conservation sessions and social opportunities. If you are interested or know someone interested in getting involved, please do sign up to the monthly youth newsletter where you will hear all about our next events!
