Moth Trapping by Tom Marshall
Wilder Next Generation
Are you aged between 14 – 25 or work with this age group? Then we need your help!
We, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), want to understand how we can better connect with young people and create opportunities to get involved that are rewarding, informative and fun.
As an organisation, we want to give people of all ages the opportunity to have their voices heard; to stand up and take action for our beloved wildlife. It is as important now as ever that the next generation of wildlife champions feel empowered and included in the environmental narrative.
Paul Harris/2020VISION
BBOWT will be hosting a FREE virtual conference for young people on Saturday 6th March 2021.
The Wilder Next Generation Summit will be a chance for young people to virtually get together and share their ideas and opinions.
The event will kick off with some inspiring talks from our spotlight speakers about current conservation work and community projects. Attendees will then take part in some informal group conversations where they will have the opportunity to suggest future programming they would like BBOWT to offer and how we can overcome current barriers to inspire young people to take action for wildlife.
We will finish with a series of workshop options which attendees can choose to take part in based on their current interests, hobbies and motivations. These fun and laid-back workshops will be interactive and will enable young people to meet like-minded individuals from their local community. They'll also get the chance to chat with wildlife experts while learning new skills.
Spotlight speakers include:
Rosie Street: Hi, I'm Rosie and I started WildSL6. WildSL6 is a group of young people who are really passionate about having a say when it comes to the local environment. We are based in the SL6 area of Berkshire and our focus is to support the other local wildlife groups such as WildCookham and WildMaidenhead with projects and education.
Megan Mccleverty: I am a 17 year old wildlife enthusiast from Buckinghamshire. I am a young ambassador for the Cameron Bespolka Trust and on the Youth Advisory Panel for the BTO. I have also previously volunteered at BBOWT’s College Lake on their youth work party. I will be talking about my own volunteering experience, how to get involved and the benefits of volunteering.
Workshops include:
How to make your voice heard – lobbying your elected representatives. Speakers:
- Nicky Warden Public Affairs and Planning Officer at BBOWT will outline BBOWT's current campaigns, how we are working to influence local MPs and councillors and what you can do to help.
- EJ Fawcett, a non-binary Youth Climate Activist who has been active in campaigning about the Climate Crisis for over two years, will share their varied campaigning experience.
- Hannah Needham was a BBOWT conservation trainee from 2018 - 2019. She is now the Junior Director of charity Heal Rewilding, and also delivers lobbying campaigns as part of the UK Youth for Nature team. Hannah will explain why your voice is powerful and how to make it heard.
More details will be announced on our social media so make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We'll also be posting info about our spotlight speakers and workshop topics so check back here for regular updates!
Young Rangers Windsor Great Park
Please note this event is only open to young people aged 14-25. Anyone wishing to attend who is under 18 will need to provide a consent form completed by a parent/guardian before the event date. Please click the link to open the consent form in a separate tab.