Norfolk Wildlife Trust has recently introduced the NWT Youth Forum- a local action initiative aimed at bringing together “passionate young people from across Norfolk” to “protect and restore wildlife habitats,” whilst “empowering others to take action”. I caught up with Alex Day, Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Senior Youth Engagement Officer, to explore the vision behind the Youth Forum and discuss how the trust is amplifying youth voices in its mission to conserve Norfolk’s wildlife. 

Question: Why was the youth forum created? 

Answer: “We know how important it is for young people in Norfolk to form deep connections with the outdoors and have the opportunity to lead on nature’s recovery. By 2030, we’re aiming to support 1 in 4 people to act for nature, and our Wild Youth Action programme is a big part of that. This is the first time we’ve engaged specifically with young adults, and we can’t wait to build these new relationships and find out what the committee are most passionate about.” 

The Youth Forum is a committee of 16-25-year-olds that meet monthly and support volunteering events throughout the year and this is all part of NWT’s Wild Youth Action programme: “[the] programme is part of our new Building Foundations for the Future project, and is made possible by a generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Central to the project is incorporating a youth voice and activism into Norfolk Wildlife Trust to ensure that young people are equipped and empowered to protect Norfolk’s natural heritage.” 

Question: How have NWT engaged with young people in the past? 

Answer: “At NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes and NWT Sweet Briar Marshes we host regular Wilder Wardens sessions for young people aged 11 to 17 who help manage these reserves and habitats with support from the Reserve Wardens. A typical session might involve raking and burning reeds to prevent habitat succession at Hickling or building a dead hedge in Sweet Briar Marshes’ woodlands beside the paths.”

Question: How will the Youth Forum transfer young people’s thoughts and ideas into physical action? 

Answer: “Young people have bold, imaginative ideas and are really invested in creating a healthier natural world, we just want to act as a catalyst and help young people achieve their goals for wildlife. One of the Youth Forum’s first projects will be taking over the management of an important place for wildlife, called Sloughbottom Meadows. This will become our first youth-led reserve! We’ll work closely with expert ecologists and the Norwich Fringe Project to up-skill Youth Forum members and turn their ideas into action.” 

Question: Have young people been consulted in the Youth Forum’s development, and if so, how?

Answer: “It’s fundamental that young people have a say on all aspects of our Wild Youth action programme. What the group will achieve together is richer and feels more relevant to our young people when this happens. We’ve worked closely with youth organisations including MAP, Sprowston Youth Engagement project and Break to find out what issues young people are facing and collect ideas. Consultation is an on-going process and we’re looking forward to regularly spending time with the Youth Forum and shaping our programme led by their ideas, hopes and aspirations.” 

Question: What are the benefits of the Youth Forum for young people? 

Answer: “A growing body of scientific research shows just how important nature is to our wellbeing, and the Youth Forum aims to serve a big dopamine hit by offering young people opportunities to socialise and work outdoors in wild spaces. As part of our 2025 Youth Forum programme we’re partnering with The Resilience Project, a youth-led community set-up to enable other young people concerned about climate ‘to find their peace, their power and their people’. We hope members will feel more resilient and optimistic by taking part.” 

Question: Are there any specific benefits for University Students? 

Answer: “The Youth Forum offers an alternative education that is a healthy supplement to any university degree- supporting employment and wellbeing, and widening networks. Away from the pressure of exam-measured success, members will enjoy hands-on conservation tasks, have the opportunity to lead on community projects and work with students from across multiple disciplines. It’s also an opportunity to leave the campus and explore wild corners of Norfolk!”

Question: What are the benefits of the Youth Forum for NWT?

Answer: “We know that nature really needs our help, and the scale of the challenge we face is growing every day. Young people are the future leaders within nature conservation, so investing in young people now is investing in our wildlife in the future. Working with the Youth Forum brings us new perspectives, helps us connect with young people in ways that they relate to, and allows us to have a wider impact on wildlife and their habitats, safeguarding the future of nature. We hope that by taking part in the Youth Forum, protecting and restoring our county for wildlife becomes a life-long passion for more young people and, in turn, strengthens the conservation sector for many years to come.”

Question: How will you ensure a diverse range of youth voices within the Youth Forum?

Answer: “To help more young people take action and learn about wildlife, we’ve created a progression ladder of Wild Youth Action activities, that supports people to try one-off volunteering sessions and then progress to leadership roles, like the Youth Forum, when they’re ready. For Youth Forum members, we’re providing outdoor equipment and covering travel expenses; and during sessions we’re ensuring small groups and quiet spaces to help make the experience comfortable. These ideas are informed by listening activities held last year with youth organisations such as Break, and we’re also working closely with staff across departments, including our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Officer, to make the experience as accessible as possible, helping a greater diversity of voices to take part.”

Question: How will you track and measure the impact of the Youth Forum?

Answer: “Each Youth Forum member will keep a written journal documenting their time on the committee, recording their reflections, progress and ideas for the future as they go; and also chart their progress with start-of-project and end-of-project questions. We’re working closely with external evaluators to ensure we collect personal stories and transformations in engaging ways, for example through a film or exhibition.”

Question: How will the Youth Forum link to other NWT projects? 

Answer: “As well as managing Sloughbottom Meadows alongside the Norwich Fringe Project, Youth Forum members will have opportunities to support other campaigns and initiatives with the Trust; for example by supporting the PR and Comms Team with news articles or the Engagement Team with activities at schools and colleges. Our activities will be informed by the passions and interests of group members.”

Question: In your opinion, why is youth involvement in general conservation and re–wilding important and what are the benefits? 

Answer: “Taking part in conservation volunteering as a young person can provide transformative wellbeing benefits, which can be felt long into the future. Simply spending time outdoors can improve your mood, physical health and help you feel more resilient. It’s also important for the future of Norfolk’s wildlife that more young people are supported to form deep connections with wild spaces. The Youth Forum aims to encourage positive life-long habits and transferrable skills that empower young people and support our national heritage to thrive.” 

To find out more and keep up-to-date with the Wild Youth Action programme, sign-up to the newsletter: https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/youth-action-now-e-newsletter