Green Changemakers
the story so far
Green Changemakers offers young people 14+ a range of outdoor nature-based learning experiences involving nature restoration and rewilding projects across Scotland.
This new Green Team programme started in Feb 2026 and takes place during school holidays and weekends over 10 months. It is part of the YES, Young Environmental Stewardship Programme, made possible with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
YES helps participants build a lifelong connection with nature and become confident, skilled custodians of Scotland’s natural heritage.
We caught up with the Green Changemakers to find out more about their experiences so far…
Learning how change happens
With Green Changemakers, we are exploring how change happens. It’s easy to feel powerless as individuals, but when people come together there is real energy in collective action. So far, we’ve spent time exploring different places—planting trees at Glenlude, visiting red kite and beaver reintroduction projects and our first residential. These are powerful examples of positive human impact on nature, where change is visible and tangible.
At the same time, we’ve been asking what change looks like when you don’t have your own land to manage. Much of our work takes place in spaces where positive change is already happening, so we’re also exploring other ways to make a difference—by shifting how we think, how we relate to the natural world, and how we influence others.
The story so far
Our Green Changemakers programme began in February with a visit to Argaty near Stirling.
At Argaty Red Kite and Beaver reintroduction projects, we followed on the trails of reintroduced beavers, seeing first-hand how their activity shapes the landscape. We learned more about bringing extinct species back to Scotland and what it means to be an ecosystem engineer. In the afternoon our Changemakers met the resident Red Kite population. Mesmerised, we watched the skies as they danced, swooping and diving.
For our second Green Changemakers project of 2026, we headed to the Southern Uplands to Glenlude in March.
Nestled on the hillside, we planted some trees in the Green Team wildwood at Glenlude, meeting some of the local wildlife along the way! We then learned about the woodland restoration as we warmed up in the bothy onsite after our work on the hill.
Deepening the connection
Our first residential at Sauchie Home Farm near Stirling focused on shifting how we think. We visited Green Aspirations, a small community interest company working towards “degrowth”: finding sustainable ways to live well on a small patch of land. While there, we got hands-on, helping to process wood and make posts used in their buildings.
There was a real sense of energy and enthusiasm throughout the weekend. It was wonderful to see so many smiles, hear the humour within the group, and watch connections being built.
Changemakers took part in reflective sessions including a Council of All Beings, a practice rooted in deep ecology, combining ceremony and contemplative thinking. We each chose a more-than-human being to speak on behalf of, exploring the challenges they face and the opportunities they offer for us to reimagine our relationship with the planet. Fantastic masks were created to represent bugs, rivers, mountains, wildflowers and deer.
Shaping the future
We also created space for the group to shape what comes next; exploring what they would like to do, places they hope to visit, and skills they want to develop. They came up with lots of ideas, from meeting an MSP and learning about lynx reintroduction, to visiting an osprey centre, developing plant and mushroom identification skills, exploring the Forth islands, organising beach cleans, running their own fundraising event, and even making a film!
Bringing these experiences together in a residential setting allows conversations to continue beyond structured activities—the learning carries on around the dinner table and by the fire in the evening. We’re excited to see where Changemakers takes us next.
More about Green Changemakers
Green Changemakers is part of the Green Team’s Young Environmental Stewardship Programme, YES, made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Over 10 months, Green Changemakers offers young people 14+ a range of outdoor nature-based learning experiences involving nature restoration and rewilding projects across Scotland. Our Green Changemakers will explore diverse natural and degraded sites, giving participants the chance to reimagine a nature-rich, climate-resilient Scotland.
Green Changemakers will:
- experience large-scale tree planting projects
- witness beavers in the wild
- snorkel over meadows of seagrass
- engage in hands-on restoration, such as habitat planting and invasive species clearance
- learn to interpret landscapes and explore land use change
- develop critical thinking and communication skills
- speak up for nature through film or community events
What’s involved?
Our Green Changemakers commit to:
- One day volunteering per month from February – November 2026 (in person), visiting local nature restoration and rewilding projects (10 days)
- 1 overnight camp (in Spring – 2 nights, 3 days)
- 1 rewilding residential (in Summer – 4 nights, 5 days)
Over the course of the programme our Green Changemakers:
- experience some incredible nature restoration projects around Edinburgh, the Lothians and further afield in Scotland
- learn communication skills to use their voice to speak up for nature
- learn advocacy skills to help campaign about things they care about
- learn new skills like storytelling, writing and photography
- learn from experts in the field of restoration, rewilding and nature
- be part of a community of young people who love all things wild
More about Young Environmental Stewardship
YES focuses on the most at-risk greenspaces, engaging the city’s young people in hands-on conservation, outdoor learning and accredited outdoor learning awards. The Green Team nurtures wellbeing, self-esteem and leadership potential whilst restoring natural heritage sites across Edinburgh, the Lothians and specific rewilding sites further afield.
The legacy of YES will be a new generation of environmental leaders. The programme further strengthens The Green Team’s role as a sector leader in youth environmental engagement.
Thank you
YES, the Young Environmental Stewardship programme is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to National Lottery players, The Green Team will be able to reach and support the next generation of environmental leaders.