National Trust teams up with Youngwilders to put young people at the forefront of England’s nature recovery

With many young people feeling anxious about the state of nature, Youngwilders was founded in 2022 by five young nature nerds intent on inspiring young people to get involved in tackling the nature and climate crisis head on. Together with the National Trust, who have been caring for the nation’s most beloved landscapes for more than 130 years, this powerful coalition puts the next generation of environmental leaders at the heart of creating nature-rich, resilient landscapes for the future.

The first project got underway last weekend at a community event at Dalehead in the Peak District, where over 25 young people came together to survey precious peatland, grassland and woodland habitats. Similar hands-on, youth-led nature recovery projects will also take place in North Devon and Somerset later this year.

Arthur, one of the participants at the event said:

"I had a really nice day, the Bioblitz was a lot of fun. I liked exploring the site and learning about the different species that are specific to the acid grassland and heathland habitat."

All three projects will see young people shape the future of vital habitats through a combination of volunteering and paid roles, learning on the job and receiving ecological field skills training. They’ll be empowered to take the lead on nature restoration projects including planting trees, creating ponds and managing habitats.

Molly Easton, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Youngwilders said:

“In just four years, an organisation of five friends keen to help nature’s recovery has grown into a national movement of young people with the energy, passion and drive to regenerate the UK’s natural world. By working with the National Trust, we are unlocking the critical land and capital needed for these young people to accelerate action for nature. Across these three sites, every action to restore nature will now also become one that upskills and further energises the next generation of environmental stewards.”

Findings from the three projects will help to create a blueprint for youth-led nature recovery that can be scaled across other National Trust sites.

As a leading force in UK nature recovery, the National Trust has an ambition to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscape by 2035 and end unequal access to nature. An initial investment of over £100,000 is being made across the three projects with funding from the National Trust and made possible thanks to the players of the Postcode Lottery. The funding will help reduce barriers to participation by covering travel costs, providing equipment, and offering free training and hands-on learning opportunities. National Trust nature specialists will support the three collaborations with around 240 hectares of National Trust land restored for nature through the projects.

Harry Bowell, National Trust Director of Land and Nature said:

“The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world yet nine in ten children and young people say they would like to do more to look after the environment.

“The National Trust has bold ambitions to end unequal access to nature, and to restore the natural environment on an enormous scale. Our collaborations with Youngwilders tackle this twin challenge, putting the next generation at the centre of nature restoration projects at places in the National Trust’s care.

“With Youngwilders strong track record of youth-led nature restoration projects and the National Trust’s long legacy of creating and caring for nature rich landscapes, these collaborations will help to enhance biodiversity and inspire new leaders for our sector.

Through these collaborations we’re creating a bright future, where both nature and young people thrive. “

Youth-led nature restoration projects launching in 2026

Dalehead (Peak District)

At Dalehead in the Peak District, the Youngwilders will support work to restore nature on 200 hectares of land, close to the iconic Kinder Scout and Mam Tor. This is the largest of the three NT x Youngwilders collaborations, the five-year phased programme will initially focus on a six-hectare priority area where a team of young conservationists will carry out a detailed habitat baselining survey. They will then develop and deliver a nature restoration plan to improve places for wildlife, increase biodiversity and help to capture carbon.

This could include creating wooded habitats by planting trees and scrub, managing the land to help trees naturally regenerate and caring for healthy, diverse grasslands and wetlands.

The team will carry out surveys at regular intervals across the whole site, including soil sampling, camera trapping, citizen science projects and bioacoustics recording.

One young nature lover attending last weekend’s bioblitz said:

“It's so nice to be around other young ecologists, it gives me hope for humanity."

The project will also include the recruitment of two Wild Stewards. These paid roles will be open to young people who want to play an active role and gain more experience leading nature restoration projects close to where they live. Find out more: Conservation work at Dalehead | National Trust

West Lyn (North Devon)

Local young people are at the heart of work at West Lyn, a 58-hectare site being restored for nature. Collaborating with the National Trust’s own network of young staff and volunteers, Youngwilders will carry out restoration work across nearly half of the site.

Delivered over three years, the project will progress through baselining, planning and implementation, aiming to restore and reconnect habitats to support biodiversity. Youngwilders will begin survey work on site from July, establishing a clear picture of the site’s current ecological condition to shape the long-term vision and management of the site.

Work may include tree planting, wildflower sowing and conservation grazing. Two Wild Stewards will be recruited from the local area to support the project, with participants working on site one or two days a month and helping to deliver volunteer days. Located near Lynton and Lynmouth, the nature-rich spaces created will provide lasting benefits for local communities.

Manor Fields (Somerset)

At Manor Fields on the Mendip Hills in Somerset, a 19-hectare site will see youth-led nature recovery work take place over an initial three-year period, restoring a rich and diverse mosaic of habitats including wood pasture, naturally regenerating woodland, wetlands, species-rich grassland, hedgerows and traditional orchards.

Stewardship of the orchard will be a focus, where young people will gain hands on experience through activities such as tree planting, pruning, mulching, and supporting seasonal harvesting, connecting nature recovery with Somerset’s rich orchard heritage and traditional rural skills.

The project will involve young people from Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare, particularly those living in areas of higher deprivation or with limited access to quality green space. Manor fields unique position on the A38 allows easy access, welcoming visits by car, bicycle and public transport.

Working with young nature enthusiasts, the project will create supported pathways for participation, helping to remove barriers faced by coastal and urban communities and build confidence to take their first steps into green careers.

Call for young volunteers
Young people aged 18–30 can sign up for summer volunteering and free ecological training at the three National Trust locations at www.Youngwilders.org