Stars Lead Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Youth Summit at 60th anniversary

Published on: 14 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 14 Feb, 2019

Nick Baker

Surrey Wildlife Trust is looking for youngsters aged 16 to 18 who want environmental lobbying, scientific research or communications and media experience to join its free environmental Youth Summit on March 28, 2019.

Sophie Pavelle

As part of a host of events to celebrate the Trust’s 60th anniversary, headline speakers include wildlife presenters Nick Baker, BBC TV, and Sophie Pavelle, TV and Instagram sensation.

This year will be crucial for the environment. Not only is the government working on the first Environment Bill in 20 years to develop new laws to protect wildlife and the natural environment, it is also the Year of Green Action. Surrey Wildlife Trust wants young people to have a stronger voice on environmental issues and learn how to lobby local MPs to demand a greener, more sustainable future, to prevent irreversible damage to our wildlife and natural world.

Aimee Clarke, director of education at Surrey Wildlife Trust, said: ‘This is a unique opportunity for students to lead an environmental campaign for Surrey schools and colleges and learn debating, lobbying, scientific research, communications and media skills. It will provide an understanding of the latest environmental thinking, cover native wildlife species under threat and at the same time enhance UCAS applications and CVs.’

Television wildlife presenter Nick Baker has travelled to the wildest parts of the planet in search of weird, bizarre and incredible creatures. He has worked with National Geographic, the BBC and the Discovery Channel. He will be running a workshop, sharing his experiences and inspiring students to develop their ideas to create a campaign for six Pledges for Nature for schools and colleges in Surrey.

Sophie Pavelle’s love of wildlife, adventure and digital media has inspired her work alongside The Wildlife Trusts, Countryfile Magazine, BBC Earth and BBC Springwatch. Sophie is especially keen on inspiring millennials and ‘Gen Z’, to get outside and stay curious about the natural world. At the Youth Summit she will help students discover how to make the ordinary extraordinary through vlogs and social media.

This event at Nower Wood near Leatherhead is free but booking is essential because spaces are limited. Schools are advised to book early. There is a limit of eight students, accompanied by one or two staff per school. For further information or to book your places email education.centres@surreywt.org.uk, call 01372 379509 or visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org/what-we-do/about-us/wild-60/youth-summit