We all know our environment and the natural world is in danger. In the UK, 56 per cent of species have shown a decline in numbers between 1970 and 2013. And the UN’s recent landmark report found that 1 million animal and plant species face extinction globally, threatening food security, livelihoods, economies and health. So in a bid to reverse devastating ecological breakdown, environmental charity, Action for Conservation, have unveiled a youth-led nature restoration project. And, not wanting to do things by half measures, it’s the biggest of its kind in the world. Taking place on a 2,000-acre upland estate in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales, the pioneering Penpont Project will be run by a youth leadership group of 20 12-17-year-olds from diverse backgrounds. Under their management, the project will restore habitats and ecosystems, and explore innovative farming and forestry approaches to provide a healthy support system for people, biodiversity and agriculture. Hendrikus van Hensbergen, chief executive at Action for Conservation, tells us more.
Our biggest inspiration for the project is the young people we work with and their creativity, passion and commitment to our planet. We know from the impact of our programmes that, when given a seat at the table, young people are capable of driving positive change and energising and shaping environmental projects with fresh perspectives and ideas. So we thought; ‘why not enable them to lead a nature restoration project on a large scale to achieve positive impacts for biodiversity and inspire others to take action?’ Here is a quote from one of our youth ambassadors, 16-year-old Willow from Cardiff, who says: “I’m so excited to be part of the Penpont Project. It is a unique opportunity to transform a landscape through hands-on restoration efforts and inspire others to take action themselves. The natural world is in real trouble, in Wales and beyond, and we need to work together to find creative ways to turn this situation around.”