to address the loss of nature and wildlife
The UKY4N mission statement.
Our mission is to mobilise and empower young people to seek and call for decisive action on nature and wildlife in the UK. Protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems in the UK is vital for multitudinous reasons, least of all for addressing climate change, for our physical and mental health, and for the long-term resilience of our societies.
Through young people’s actions, platforming and uniting youth voices, and training the next generation of environmental leaders, our ultimate vision is to increase the visibility of nature in all decision-making, raise political awareness about the loss of nature and wildlife in the four countries of the UK, and secure a more nature-filled future. We aim to do this through building public, evidence-led, and creative projects that call for urgent action to address the loss of nature and wildlife – from all parts of society, but particularly from politicians at all levels.
Our mission is supported by our values. UK Youth for Nature is founded on empowerment, ambition, collaboration, creativity, and inclusivity.
Our commitment to diversity
UK Youth for Nature is committed to ensuring the full scope of diversity and lived experience is represented in our movement. Environmental issues including the loss of nature and inequality of access to it, disproportionately affect certain communities. As a youth movement committed to increasing equality of opportunity and representation in our movement and the wider environmental field, we will continue to actively support and provide opportunities to our members. Read our full statement here.
UK Youth for Nature’s objectives are to:
Create greater political impetus to halt and reverse the loss of nature and wildlife in the UK.
Increase equitable access to the natural world, especially in those places where there is least green space and where access to that green space is fundamentally unequal.
Increase the visibility and participation of young people in decision-making about the natural world.
Increase young people’s awareness and understanding of the loss of nature using UKY4N’s communications channels.
Provide learning and development opportunities for our Organising Team and wider network on key skills to encourage and equip the next generation of environmental decision-makers.
Meet the organising team:
She/her
I grew up in the New Forest and am passionate about natural history education and engaging people with the wildlife on their doorstep.
She/her
I’m passionate about nature, slow living and crafting meaningful campaigns that drive change for a better world. A lover of words, good food and wild places, I bring creativity and vision to UKY4N’s campaigning. You can find me exploring regenerative farming, brewing herbs for tea or soaking in coastal Northern Ireland.
They/she
I’ve always drawn and been drawn to nature form an early age. After a climate anxiety breakdown in 2021 I felt like I needed to do something. This led me to designing a mural in Nottingham based on local biodiversity loss where I found out about UKY4N! I graduated from illustration degree in 2023, my final year projects and dissertation focused on how illustration can help engage a younger audience interest in surrounding wildlife and how illustration can make nature more accessible.
She/her
After studying biology at university and volunteering with a biodiversity project for local schools, I now work in policy and advocacy for a wildlife charity. I am passionate about having more nature everywhere and for everyone.
she/her
I love the outdoors and am passionate about creating a sustainable future for all. I think conservation and appreciation of nature should be a priority and am always interested in engaging in conversations about it.
She/her
Whenever I walk or cycle through the park everything seems to come to a standstill. I realise my gratitude for the world that we get to be part of, the place that’s full of life other than our own. I love drawing nature – my sketchbook and digital doodles are perhaps a testament to that – and I suppose it’s just a way of expressing the strange mix of awe for this planet and distress at our destruction of it. Protecting the natural world is no walk in the park; I am thankful to be part of an incredible group of people who are bent on taking action in the midst of the crisis – for giving me hope, and reminding me of how I can help.
She/her
I have always admired wildlife and am eager to be involved with its protection. I am hoping to work closely with nature in the future, inspiring others to do so too. UKY4N helps me to advocate for nature conservation and lets my voice be heard.
I love nature, especially amphibians, and I try get outside as much as possible. I’ve previously worked or volunteered for several conservation organisations and now run the UKY4N book club, where we have a friendly chat about a nature book every other month. I hope to see you at a book club meeting soon!
She/her
I am a nature-friendly flower farmer in County Durham, and I’m passionate about connecting people to nature so that they can advocate for a brighter, nature-rich future for all.
She/her
I am a zoology student and feel most happy and calm when I am surrounded by nature. I have always been passionate about learning about all species but I am most interested in birds. I enjoy speaking to new people so I want to help more people feel connected to nature. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, hiking and volunteering.
He/him
I have a background in systems ecology and and a passion to achieve greater youth involvement and empowerment in conservation and environmental governance. I’m a lover of all ecosystems but my real passions lie in the coastal and marine ecosystems of the world. You will most likely find me out on my paddleboard chasing sunsets.
She/her
I am an a level student and nature nerd from the broads national park. I am passionate about improving nature connectedness in young people and the local area, nature education, wetlands and the positive mental health effects of nature. In my spare time I love art and see it as crucial in communicating about building a more sustainable, nature friendly and just future.
They/she
I grew up running around the fields of the Shropshire countryside, which fostered my empathy towards nature and a feeling that the natural world needs more care and respect than the modern world offers. I’m currently studying physical and materials sciences, and I am passionate about transdisciplinary approaches to nature and climate restoration.
He/Him
My professional background is split between tree planting in the Scottish Highlands and organising with climate protest groups. I’m motivated by my belief that when young people across the UK get organised, we will be capable of building a richer, greener, more equitable future. In my free time I love to hike, watch birds and read.
She/her
I am a textile creator, sometimes theatre-maker and University digital trainer based in the Southwest. I haven’t always considered myself to be an ‘outside person’, though I’ve always loved wildlife in the abstract; however, in 2020 I started going on long walks and essentially rewired my brain. Now I love getting out into nature and working to protect it.
He/him
Connah has a background in law, and currently works in a law firm that specialises in fraud. His main passion is environmental policy, and believes we should work hand in hand with nature in our cities to reduce our impact
I am an Ecology and Conservation student at the University of Brighton, currently completing an undergraduate dissertation researching the impacts pond creation, restoration, and management at the Seven Sisters Country Park. Outside of this I am a Youth Ambassador for the South Downs National Park, and the Youth Engagement for the Sussex Mammal Group. My passion lies in the conservation of species and landscapes (particularly the research side) and engaging people with it.
She/they
I am an Urban Design Master’s student with the aim of designing places that work better for people and nature. UKY4N is a fantastic opportunity to ensure I am always working for nature.
I love nature and am constantly astonished by its ability to repair and rewild. Even more than this, I’m always looking for ways that can help nature thrive and ensure that we along with future generations can enjoy all the benefits that nature brings.
I am an MSc student studying environmental politics at UCL. I am interested in marine and coastal conservation, and I will be joining a leading marine conservation charity later this year.
Meet the Board of Directors
@mattadamw
mattadamwilliams.co.uk
Environmental youth engagement professional with 11 years collaborating in Scotland and overseas, previously working as Scotland Education Families & Youth Manager and country safeguarding lead for RSPB. Her specialist areas of expertise include, strategic culture change, values, solution-focused co-design, behaviour change theory and practice, large-scale project development and delivery, communicating with diverse audiences, young people and education, safeguarding, stakeholder engagement and public speaking.
Richard is CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 66 charities dedicated to the improvement of the environment and animal welfare. He is also Chair of Oxfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership. Previously, Richard was policy advisor to the Secretary of State at DEFRA, and has worked in policy and advocacy for the RSPB and WWT.
Talia Goldman is former Co-Director of UK Youth for Nature. She is currently the ESG Manager for a sustainable packaging company – driving responsibility for nature through forest supply chains. Prior to this she worked as a campaigns and policy advisor on the UK’s COP26 Nature Campaign and the European Parliament’s 2019 Elections campaign.
UK youth for Nature is very grateful to be funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.