In this blog, we follow the inspiring journey of our Scottish Wildlife Trust Young Leaders.

You have the chance to join this fantastic team with applications to become a Young Leader currently open! Are you aged 18-30 and passionate about conservation and wildlife? You can find out more and how to apply here. Deadline is Sunday 24 November 2024.

The Young Leaders of the Scottish Wildlife Trust programme was established back in 2018, with the aim of integrating young voices into the work the Trust does, as well as helping the Trust engage with more young people. We piloted the programme for an initial eight months, and six years later, the team is still going from strength to strength!

As a team of 15-20 volunteers (aged between 18-30), the Young Leaders’ very existence makes our work more accessible to other young people. The team works hard during their fortnightly meetings to decide on the tasks and projects that will best help the us achieve our vision, as well as ensuring young voices are heard along the way.

We are very keen to make sure each Young Leader’s skills and knowledge are listened to and used, as well as given the chance to develop during their time in the role. Jessie, who has been part of the Young Leaders for 18 months provides an insight into what that’s like:

“Being a Young Leader is something I am immensely proud of. It’s been an incredible opportunity to meet other likeminded people and it has opened doors I couldn’t have expected – including several evenings at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace, countless reserves, conferences, events, talks – you name it! It has instilled a sense of responsibility in a profound way; I look around at other young leaders and know that in future – it’ll be up to us. Once those, who have paid their dues rightfully retire, it’ll be us standing up for wildlife and making those calls to action to ensure the long-term protection of spaces held dear. Those I have met at the Trust, I believe will be relationships I have in decades from now. Working and thriving in the sector, all thanks to skills being made today.”

Our Young Leaders are everything from ambassadors to educators to a steering group. Let’s take a look at some of their highlights over the six years…

2018

The Young Leaders programme was set up in 2018 during ‘Scotland’s Year of Young People’. This pioneering year was busy spent building ideas, relationships, and getting involved in different aspects of the Trust’s work. Amongst many things, the Young Leaders got involved in engagement activities at Cumbernauld, attended the Scottish Environment Link campaign launch, visited our Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve and attended the Trust’s AGM.

2019

In 2019, the Young Leaders started running the first of their youth-led projects. They ran a fantastic wildflower ID training workshop for Trust staff and volunteers to build their skillset and confidence. They also helped run the Trust’s 2019 Conservation Awards, which offered volunteer placements for those looking develop the skills and experience needed to gain paid employment in conservation.

This year the Young Leaders were also involved in the Global Climate Strike, representing the Trust at strikes and government events.

2020

The Young Leaders didn’t let Covid-19 stop them! They held their meetings online on Zoom (which was still a novelty back then!) so they could work on their projects. They continued to give their input in the Trust’s work, from a Twitter takeover, to contributing to the Scottish Wildlife magazine, to sitting in committee meetings. In 2020, two of our Young Leaders were also elected to sit on the Council of Trustees to ensure young voices are being heard in the big conversations.

2021

This year, the Young Leaders were working on their biggest project yet! Ahead of COP26, they led the youth engagement work of the Wildlife Trusts’ movement. The Young Leaders led a series of workshops and an online survey, which resulted in a Youth Manifesto.

This work was shared with politicians and the public ahead of COP26, so everyone could see exactly what action young people across the UK think is needed from leaders both locally and globally, to tackle both the climate emergency and its twin – the biodiversity crisis.

The Young Leaders’ work directly helped hundreds of young people to have their say, and to get their ideas not only to organisations like ours, but to the heart of policy makers in Scotland. It was led and delivered by young people, for young people. It is amazing to see what young people can do when they are invited to the discussion!

2022

A couple of our Young Leaders attended the Sea Scotland Conference 2022. Attending a conference can be a great opportunity for young people to grow their network and increase their knowledge. However, it can also be a daunting event, especially for those who haven’t been to one before. Whether it’s not knowing the jargon, what to wear, or whether there will be anyone your age there. Following the event, the Young Leaders then became part of the Sea Scotland’s Steering Group, so they could help encourage and involve more young people in the conference going forward.

Fast forward a year and they did just that! Pictured below are our Young Leaders with other young people who attended the Sea Scotland Conference in 2023 – which had the largest attendance of young people yet!

2023

Over the years, the Young Leaders have been busy working with our Living Seas Project, from helping promote our Snorkel Trails to representing the Trust at conferences, talks and parliamentary events. The Young Leaders came together in 2023 with other young people to attend our GenSea Marine Policy Event.

Important policy decisions made now have the potential to fundamentally influence young peoples’ futures, however, it’s often a challenge for young people to get involved in these conversations. This event provided a platform to amplify and unite diverse youth voices.

At the event, young people had the chance to voice their opinions in a workshop with the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government, which then went on to inform the development of Scotland’s new National Marine Plan 2. The Young Leaders hope to continue to inspire more young people to get involved in marine planning conversations. Remember, your voice matters!

2024

The Young Leaders came together to organise and run a brilliant Biodiversity Bonanza event at our Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. The event was free for people of all ages to attend, and attendees had their fair choice of activities to get stuck into! The Young Leaders ran mindfulness workshops, bird house building, seed bomb making, guided walks, nature arts and crafts and more! The event was all about inspiring people to connect with nature and take an action home with them to help nature. It was a fantastic day all round!

 

We are currently looking to recruit 10 new Young Leaders to join our team and be part of the Trust’s youth voice! Are you aged 18-30 and passionate about conservation and wildlife? Apply to join our fantastic team. You can find out more and how to apply here.

Rachel Faichnie,

Engagement Officer