Young environmental stewards
Young people also tell us that they don’t just want to learn about environmental problems – they want opportunities to do something about them.
Youth Panel members have contributed to discussions about biodiversity, climate, our own environmental footprint and how Green Team can broaden its work from traditional woodland conservation into blue habitats such as rivers and canals.
Their thinking has helped strengthen our commitment to Young Environmental Stewardship, creating opportunities for young people to move from participation towards practical environmental action, leadership, advocacy and influencing others.
As one Panel member put it:
“More trees, protected green spaces, and biodiversity – we need this!”
And another summed it up perfectly:
“I joined for the team and stayed for the green.”
What young people gain
Influence works both ways.
When we asked Youth Panel members what they had gained, they talked about confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication, patience, developing ideas, seeing their own potential and learning to listen to and respect different viewpoints.
They also talked about connection, feeling included, wanting to volunteer further, considering environmental careers and feeling more hopeful about the future.
One member told us:
“The Green Team has developed me as a person. Some of the best friends I have are from the Green Team… It’s helped me to open up a lot more.”
What next?
Our Youth Panel has already helped change Green Team. Now we want their influence to grow further.
We want to broaden whose voices are represented, create stronger routes from participation into volunteering and leadership, and give young people more opportunities to influence our programmes and organisational decisions.
Increasingly, we also want young people to take their ideas and environmental commitment beyond Green Team – into their schools, communities, environmental organisations and conversations with people making decisions about their future.
Because youth voice shouldn’t simply mean being asked what you think.
It should mean having opportunities to use your strengths, develop your ideas, influence decisions and see that your contribution can make something change.
Our Youth Panel helps keep The Green Team relevant, ambitious and accountable to the young people we exist for.
As our young people grow, we want their influence to grow with them.