Youth Advisory Group

Young people (c) Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

We recognise that the future of nature and our connection with it will in part be decided on by young people, and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust wants to be pivotal in making this happen by giving young people a voice.

If you are aged 16-25, this could be the volunteering opportunity for you.

The Youth Advisory Group (YAG) has three main objectives:

ADVISE: To act as an advisory group to the Board of Trustees and the Executive. YAG's role is to identify barriers to and opportunities for young people to engage with GWT and the delivery of the strategy.
AMPLIFY: To amplify the voice of young people within the GWT team, the membership and the Wildlife Trusts network. YAG's role is to work with cross-organisational teams to find opportunities for young people’s voices to be heard on the issues that affect nature and our future.
CONNECT: To create internal and external opportunities for young people to connect, both within the GWT network and the wider Gloucestershire natural environment and youth sector. We want to provide space to develop skills and knowledge, re-energise and maintain their own wellbeing. YAG's role is to work with the learning team to plan activities to bring young people together and work with the wider engagement team to maximise the opportunities to reach young people

Each member of YAG works closely with our Young Trustees, and is supported by our Board of Trustees and key GWT staff.

Find out more about the role including time commitment here

The Youth Advisory Group is now open for applications

Introducing the Youth Advisory Group

Emma Waldron

I'm Emma, a Trustee of GWT, and I help support YAG and its members. I'm a conservation communicator with a passion for wildlife and I want to make nature an accessible, everyday thing for people again.

I moved to Gloucester a few years ago and fell in love the variety of landscapes and nature you can find here. I became a Trustee to play a more active role in protecting that nature and work with YAG to help develop the next generation of environmentalists. I look forwarding to facilitating the action Gloucestershire’s young people want to take!

Amy Walsh

I have ten years experience in strategic and operational project management in the environment and community sectors. As a qualified Forest School Leader, I am on a mission to enable people from all backgrounds to discover the magic in nature. I run my own business working with community organisations and groups in the Dursley/Wotton-under-Edge area, as well as managing the team at Tortworth Arboretum.

I love being creative, experimenting with new ideas and collaborations, and being outdoors creating restorative spaces where people can improve their wellbeing, whilst nurturing their skills and values to grow a more socially and environmentally conscious society. When I’m not in the woods, you’ll usually find me swimming in a lake, stomping up a hill or in the garden with my hens.

I hopes that my experience working with young people and communities will support the important work GWT is undertaking to broaden its reach and connect with more people from a range of backgrounds, with the aim of broadening the membership body to be more representative of Gloucestershire’s diversity.

Evie De Gruyther

Hi I'm Evie, I'm 19 years old and I'm in my first year at university studying wildlife conservation.

One of my favourite things to do in nature is birdwatching. I love practicing my identification skills and taking the time to notice the incredible diversity of life present in my garden, or my local green spaces. My favourite garden bird at the moment is the long-tailed tit!

I applied to be part of the Youth Advisory Group (YAG) because I am passionate about the wildlife on our doorsteps in Gloucestershire and how we can work to protect it. All young people should have access to nature and all young people should be represented in this conversation. If real change is going to be created, the environmental sector must become more diverse and inclusive. This is why having the voices of young people heard at organisations like GWT is so important.

As I continue to learn more about ecology with my degree, and learn more about working as a team with the YAG, I hope to equip myself with the skills I will need for a future in conservation. Wherever I end up in a few years time, I hope I can be an advocate both for nature and for people at the same time.

Josie Waller

Hi, I'm Josie, a 23-year-old ecological assistant from Gloucester who recently graduated with a BSc Zoology degree. I have a deep appreciation for nature and believe that communities should be brought together by the desire to care for their local environment as well as having the ability to access and enjoy it.

You'll often find me exploring the countryside, immersing myself in nature and eagerly identifying plants and animals. I also enjoy camping, looking after my plants, and have a particular fascination for fungi.

I strongly believe in the power of youth engagement in conservation efforts, which is why I want to get young people involved in protecting and celebrating nature. Joining YAG allows me to connect with like-minded individuals and work towards creating a brighter future for our wildlife.

Nicholas Alexander

Hi I'm Nicholas, I love sports and all things outdoors. Adventures and discovery are my vibe. I am passionate about most things aquatic.

I'm a uni grad aiming to get into property surveying.

Sophie Luff

I applied to join YAG because I’m passionate about protecting wildlife and empowering young people to enjoy nature by ensuring that a diverse range of voices are listened to and reflected in the way that we preserve the natural world.

I’ve always loved spending time in nature and reading about the environment. My favourite species in Gloucestershire is a buzzard. I hope to study a human Geography degree in future because I like learning how the natural and human world interact with each other and how we can find solutions to climate and biodiversity issues.

Elliot Connor

G’day- I’m Elliot. I moved here from Australia two years back for the weather and was blown away by the amazing community of wildlife-lovers that are the lifeblood of UK conservation. Professionally, I dabble between roles as a filmmaker and charity CEO, author and journalist, podcaster and presenter, UN consultant and wildlife rescuer, but it all comes back to rekindling excitement for our animal cousins.

I hold a master’s in wildlife filmmaking, a master’s in business administration and a postgraduate diploma in climate science, but I joined YAG to keep on learning from the incredible young people that help keep Gloucester’s wildlife thriving.

Amy Blackwood

Hi, I'm Amy, I'm 17 and just recently joined YAG. I've always loved nature, and I hope to go onto doing something in conservation at uni and as a career. My favourite native species is the red squirrel hence my photo!

I joined YAG because I want to make a real difference, and help inspire other young people to do the same, as well as make friends and be surrounded by others who feel just as passionate about wildlife as I do.

Ellie Stevens

I’m Ellie, I’m 17 and have just joined YAG as a part of turning environmental anxiety into positive agency. I have always loved nature and wildlife and would love to be a part of inspiring others and campaigning for its cause!

Tabitha George

Hi everyone, I’m Tabitha!

I originally come from Cornwall but moved to the area for university and decided to stay with the beautiful surroundings that the shire’s have to offer. I now have a BSc and MSc in ecology, and love bird watching as a hobby as well as reading new science books.

I’ve only recently joined YAG, but have worked at the Trust for 2 years now as Supporter Development Officer. Since as long as I can remember I’ve been enthused by the wildlife around me and learnt I needed to get involved ASAP if I wanted to make a difference.

Like my fellow YAG groupies, I worry about the future of UK’s nature and enjoy working together to inspire our generation to take the next step for wildlife. We are the future so let’s make it a good one!

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Youth Advisory Group Alumni

Megan Adamou

I joined the Youth Advisory Group in 2021 because I wanted to support nature & wildlife in my county, and pursue a career in conservation. The experience of developing a working group of young people within an organisation has been invaluable, and I've made some fantastic friends too.

I am now working as the Community Action Officer here at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, upskilling and empowering communities to take meaningful action for nature in their local area. My role allows me to continue to support the Youth Advisory Group members, and utilise their skills to help me engage with Gloucestershire's community of young people.