Youth Rangers never turn their nose up at a job. No task is
too muddy, too wet or too much hard work, as long as it’s for nature. During
2016 Youth Rangers have got stuck into their usual programme of conservation
work including ditch blocking, bird box building, woodland work, car park
improvements and ecology surveys. As well as this they’ve shared their
enthusiasm, helping out at events such as the annual Bolving competition and
participating in the Stanage Youth Forum.
Studies have shown
that children are innately interested in nature, indeed they are fascinated by
it. And that for them to remain connected to nature, all they need is
successive, momentary experiences within it. Sadly the distractions of growing
up in a modern technologically based world means that many young people lose
interest in nature when they reach secondary school age. On the Eastern Moors we
aim to support a journey of involvement, providing fun, age appropriate ways to
become actively involved with nature conservation, whatever their age or
ability. Three young people joined Youth Rangers this September having previously
taken part in the Junior Ranger programme – our rewards programme for
volunteers aged Under 18. A number of our Youth Rangers have also joined us to
further their experiences through work placements from school including Sam, a
Youth Ranger who is now joining us during the week for further volunteering and
training before he starts his Zoology degree and hopefully progresses into a
conservation career!
It is now possible to be involved with the Eastern Moors
right from aged two as a “Ranger Tot”, through to Junior Rangers, Youth
Rangers, Work Placements and all the way up to adulthood as one of our valued
volunteers.
To recognise their achievement and commitment to helping
nature, this year the Youth Ranger group participated in the John Muir
Award. Eighteen young people gained
their John Muir Award with several more achieving the Peak Park Award. Both
awards recognise a commitment to discover, explore, conserve and share your
love of a “wild” place.
Here’s what a few of
them had to say about their experience of volunteering this year...
-
Dominic
In Youth Rangers this
year I have enjoyed everything from bracken bashing to the Stanage trip but
mostly I have enjoyed being with good, kind, people whose strong wills and love
for the natural world around us is second to none. I learnt that even the
coldest and darkest days can’t stop the will of determined mind and that
whatever the weather throws at us we keep going.
-
Sam
In the Youth Ranger group this year I have enjoyed all of the sessions,
but my particular favourites have been tree felling and meadow surveying at
Curbar Gap, and bird ringing early in the year. As always, this year I have
learnt a lot about the environment that surrounds me and how the delicate
balances between humans and the natural world create the Moors and its
ecosystem.
I always look forward to the Ranger sessions, as they allow me to leave
behind the stress of school for a few hours and let me indulge in what I love:
being outside and conservation work. I like the Rangers that run the sessions,
and feel as if I have gained many friends with common interests as myself. We
always have a great time, and are always guaranteed to learn something new. I
especially love the winter sessions, as not only do we get hot chocolate, it is
magical to be out on the Moors during the winter seasons.
-
Ella
The Youth Rangers are a fantastic team and an absolute joy
to work with – even when they annihilate the biscuits before the leaders get so
much as a sniff! We’re looking forward to 2017 when they will be volunteering
to plant trees, repair paths and get very mucky as the help take care of a
special place for people and wildlife.
If you know or are a young person with a passion for nature
then please get in touch with bryony.thomson@easternmoors.org.uk You can also find out more about volunteering for all on our
website: www.visit-eastern-moors.org.uk
