Nature conservation and climate change at the heart of Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland’s new partnership with UK's largest nature conservation charity.

The new partnership will support young people passionate about environmental and conservation to create inspiring natural spaces and learn more about native wildlife.

RSPB will work with young volunteers from Scotland’s Young People’s Forest (SYPF) to provide knowledge and practical skills on how to create welcoming outdoor spaces and develop plans for establishing Scotland’s first forest to be designed, led and governed by young people. We worked with YouthLink Scotland to form the forest group in 2021 to support young environmentalists to develop their ideas for creating more welcoming and accessible woodland in Scotland.   

Through our new partnership with RSPB, young people from Scotland’s Young People’s Forest will also be supported to: 

• empower young people to take action on climate change, environmental conservation and engage in outdoor education 

• manage and regenerate land to support native species 

• create inspiring natural spaces for people to explore the connectedness of natural and cultural heritage through arts and technology 

We were thrilled to see so many enthusiastic volunteers join RSPB Scotland’s Baron Haugh nature reserve warden David Anderson to launch the partnership. 

David added: 

“RSPB Scotland is really excited to support the Young People’s Forest. This is a partnership that allows us to help young people develop the skills and knowledge they need to make a positive change in their communities. Young people have a massive role to play in tackling the nature and climate crisis. We look forward to seeing how the project grows and develops over the next few months.” 

Scotland’s Young People’s Forest Panel Member Finlay said this partnership demonstrated how vital it is to support young people’s involvement in conservation.  

He added: “SYPF has changed my life for the better. It gave me opportunities, and it made me more confident and more outgoing. It's a chance to make a difference. We're going to manage this site and we're going to change the world!”  

Want to learn more about nature conservation and climate change?  

Sharing their environmental passion with a wider audience, Young Scot and YouthLink Scotland climate enthusiasts got involved in some hands-on environmental work as part of a BBC Scotland documentary filmed at the North Lanarkshire RSPB nature reserve.