We asked the young poeple in our community what their hopes are for with the incoming government, here’s what they said…

A just, green energy transition

“My hope is that the climate crisis is taken more seriously by the next government. Investment in sustainable energy, more green jobs and just transitions for those working in oil & gas, no more oil & gas licences, and a focus on nature restoration that helps to capture carbon.”

More protection for nature

“I hope that there is more protection for nature and more measures and actions taking place. As the longer we wait the harder it becomes to turn the tide, the time for action is now! More work needs to be done with businesses to help create plans to reduce their impact on climate and nature as they can make a big difference. Finally nature can bring so many benefits to people so everyone should have equal access to it so they can build a lasting connection with it and experience it in their own way.”

Fixing water pollution issues

“My hope for nature from the next government would be the government prioritising policies that would benefit the public compared to companies. This would mean reducing sewage run-offs from water companies which would allow people to finally use the beach without worry, or creating adequate incentives for farmers to rewild unproductive land to support wild highways.“

Consulting experts on new policy decisions

“My hope for nature is that we see deep engagement with experts on policy and action to make sure our land, seas, rivers and skies are protected and restored in a way that ensures our generation and many more to come finally see an biodiversity thriving alongside communities. From farming, to industry, to energy, to education, to politics, I am hopeful that nature will finally have its say and that youth voices will be listened to on issues that impact us, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Nature and climate taking centre stage

“My hope is that nature, climate, and equity are central to the next government. There’s a lot of optimism today, but a lot of work to be done. We know how important nature is for both us and the climate, so now we need to act! This government’s mandate takes us to just before the 2030 SDG goals – we need transformation to have a chance to meet them. The UK has the chance to be a world-leader on nature-friendly policy, and I hope both the government and the opposition can take a progressive, positive stance on biodiversity and nature. It’s our future, and we want it to be a green one – one where we value nature, rather than use it.”

Addressing the consequences of our actions on nature

“My hope for nature for the next government is we start to see the whole interconnected picture, from the wider views such as our relationships with other nations and the impact those have on our world, right through to areas like our education and food systems. I hope we can start to see how everything has a consequence for nature and for our survival. I hope we can start to ask why we do things the way we do and what that means for the roots of our society and our connections to nature. Question everything, there are other ways of doing things.”

Caring for nature, rather than just exploiting it

“I hope nature is viewed as something to protect and love, not use and exploit. If we care for nature, it will then care for us. I hope to see a complete shift in the way nature is viewed in the commons, it is such an overarching element of our existence and must be at the forefront of everything we do.”

Refreshing Net Zero and Nature 2030 commitments

“We have a new government now but they don’t have time to rest on their laurels – it’s time to act to save Britain’s nature! I hope that green policies are high up the priority list, including recommitting to Net Zero and Nature 2030, and that ministers change the conversation around a green policies to recognise the opportunities, rather than just the difficulties, they afford.”

If you’re feeling fired up from the General Election and would like to join a group of young, like-minded nature enthusiasts campaigning for a better future – JOIN US!

Want to let your new MP know that people in their constituency care about nature and the environment? Find their email here!

Can you tell us a bit more about you and your current job?

Hi, I’m Emma, currently working in publishing in London. I have worked at Bloomsbury Publishing for the past two and a half years after graduating from a MA Publishing degree and will soon start a new job as Editor for the Bloomsbury Wildlife team. I’m really excited to bring my love for nature writing and conservation to the role and to get to work on field guides, reference books, nature memoirs and other illustrated books.

What are your top 5 nature books that you’d recommend for other people to read?

It feels almost impossible to whittle down into a top five as there’s so many brilliant nature books but here are some that I’d heartily recommend:

The Wild Places by Robert MacFarlane

A modern classic in British nature writing (I’d say, anyway!). I have loved all of Robert MacFarlane’s books but The Wild Places was one of the books that first drew me into the genre. In this book, MacFarlane sets out on journeys across the UK to find ‘wild’ places, reflecting as he does so on the state of nature in the UK and how it has been shaped by people over the centuries.

English Pastoral by James Rebanks

A nuanced and compelling memoir, Rebanks writes about how his family farm in the Lake District has evolved over three generations, shifting from traditional, organic farming to intensive, fertilizer-fuelled farming and then, in present day, to a more nature-friendly model. He gives his balanced, educated and personal perspective on how globalization, population growth and financial pressures have led to a losing game for farmers, animals and the local environment. 

The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes

Part memoir, part radical manifesto, The Book of Trespass is an incredible read that brings together nature, history and politics. It’s about the inequality of land ownership, the Right to Roam movement and how public rights to access nature have been eroded over the centuries. I have been recommending this to everyone since I read it earlier this year. 

Groundbreakers by Chantal Lyons

Groundbreakers is about the reintroduction of wild boar into the UK, the impact they have had on people’s relationships with nature and on the habitats they now live in. I found it so thought-provoking, eye-opening and often quite moving. 

Dart by Alice Oswald

For those who prefer poetry to prose, I strongly recommend Dart by Alice Oswald. In this spell-binding book-length poem, Oswald weaves the voices of people who live and work on the River Dart in Devon into the slippery, protean voice of the river itself, showing how inextricable nature and culture are from one another.

What are your top 5 non-nature books that you’d recommend for other people to read?

Such a hard question! Other than nature writing and non-fiction, I really like reading 20th century women’s fiction and contemporary literary fiction. Recent non-nature favourites have been:

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winnifred Watson

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

Small Things Like These by Clare Keegan

The first two are definitely warm, funny comfort reads that I go back to time and time again and the latter three are all stunningly well written. 

Have you ever considered writing a book yourself? If so, what genre would it be?

No, I wouldn’t describe myself as a writer – I much prefer being a soundboard for authors and helping shape and develop their work. Still, if I did write anything it would probably be non-fiction and most likely nature or travel-related. 

What’s your go-to karaoke song?

Usually something ABBA, Taylor Swift or Queen – I’m not a great singer so anything that gets the rest of the room involved tends to be a good move! 

Would you like to join our community of nature loving 16-35 year olds who are on a mission to save the UK’s nature? Find out more here.

At the start of June, volunteers Connah Snape and Ione Howells went to Budapest with Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) and the Council of Europe to attend a 6-day study session on ‘the Right to a Healthy Environment: A Young Activist Perspective’.

This article explores the key issues raised by the session – for more information on the session itself, be sure to see Connah’s fantastic video diary here!

The event

Just like the event Christina attended a few months ago, this was hosted by Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) and Yeghvard Ecological NGO at the incredible European Youth Centre in Budapest.
Connah and I worked with 27 other young activists and youth workers in a ‘study session’ to increase youth capacity and knowledge of our environmental rights, especially the fight to recognise the Right to a Healthy Environment in the Council of Europe.

Over six days, we learnt about human rights and the environment, including support from Amy Lawrence at Greenpeace, and shared our current experiences of the environment and youth advocacy in our own countries. We’ve also worked to produce a youth toolkit on advocating for the Right to a Healthy Environment – but more about that at the end!

What is the Right to a Healthy Environment?

The ‘Right to a Healthy Environment’ (RtHE) is the human right to a ‘clean, healthy and sustainable environment’, recognised by the UN General Assembly in July 2022 after a long campaign by a huge international coalition. But what does this mean?

We know that the environment has serious impacts – both positive and negative – on our mental and physical well-being. Considering this, the RtHE calls for:

• Clean air
• A safe climate
• Safe and sufficient water
• Sustainably produced food
• ‘Non-toxic’ environments
• Healthy ecosystems and biodiversity
• Participation in environmental decision making
• Access to environmental justice
• Access to environmental information

These things are very close to our hearts here at UKY4N and are key to addressing the climate and nature crises equitably. Despite the UN recognition, however, the RtHE has yet to be adopted by the European Court of Human Rights. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t already been environmental human rights action in Europe, however…

A potted history of ‘green’ human rights

Despite the fact the Council of Europe (NB: this is not the European Union. The CoE has 46 member countries, including the UK) has yet to integrate the RtHE into the European Convention on Human Rights, environmental issues are still a hot topic.

There have been more than 300 decisions at the European Court of Human Rights on environmental issues – campaigners argue that existing human rights are violated by climate inaction. A recent success story is the KlimaSeniorinnen case; the Court ruled that the government had violated the group’s ‘right to respect for private and family life’ by not acting fast enough to address climate change.

This isn’t enough, though; without a dedicated RtHE, green human rights litigation relies on goodwill from judges and fitting climate into existing regulation. But progress is being made! 43 of the 46 Council of Europe countries recognise the RtHE or similar on a national level (although this doesn’t include the UK), and the Council of Europe recently passed a non-binding recommendation on the ‘consideration’ of the RtHE. The parliamentary body of the Council of Europe has been calling for action since 1999 and continues to apply pressure on member States.

The campaign for the RtHE

So how are we going to get the RtHE adopted in Europe? Healthy Environment Europe is an alliance of over 400 NGOs, including Greenpeace and Amnesty, calling for the Council of Europe to formally integrate the RtHE into the Convention on Human Rights. They work both inside and outside of the Council to pressure member States to adopt the Right and enshrine it in law.

But if 43 countries already recognise it, why do we need a provision in the Convention on Human Rights? By adding it to the Convention, the Campaign argue that this provides additional protection to both the Right and its defenders.

National legislation is subject to change as governments change, but human rights are far more stable and secure – and human rights defenders are better legally protected than environmental campaigners currently are. It would set a precedent that the environment is just as key to our survival and flourishing as any other human right.

If you care about the future of UK nature and wildlife, there’s a HUGE opportunity coming up to get your voice heard. Yes, we’re talking about the General Election on 4th July 2024. Does your local MP know their constituents care about nature and the environment? Maybe it’s about time they did!

Where do I start?

Have a look through the manifestos of your local candidates and see if they’re discussing the issues that matter to you. If not, write to them and ask them what their plans are, should they win the election.

You can find your MP here.

Another good way to check what your local parliamentary candidates are talking about it by having a browse of their Twitter feed. If they’re not currently talking about nature or environmental issues, write them an email to let them know that your vote will be going to someone who is proposing action, or publicly reply to their tweets asking for information. Once you’re happy with your candidate (hopefully!) it’s onto the next step…

Then what?

Don’t forget to register! This must be done by the 18th of June for in-person votes, 19th June for postal votes and 26th of June for a proxy vote. It’s very easy to do, and can be done here.

In the run up to the election/on election day, make sure you…

1. Check where your polling station is – here
2. Take photo ID with you (check the ID you have will be accepted here). If you don’t have access to any of these forms of ID, apply for a special voting ID here – this MUST be done by the 26th of June.
3. Decide when you’re going to vote – check the opening times of your local polling station (same link as above!).
4. Ask for help if you need it – the staff at the polling station will be happy to help

(Instructions courtesy of the Electoral Commission)

HAPPY VOTING!

Who are you?  

Hi, I am Emily and I am a recent graduate from the University of Warwick where I studied Liberal Arts. I am currently working as a Project Co-ordinator for an environmental charity called Earthwatch Europe. I am super passionate about the natural world but also how climate change is impacting people both locally and globally.  

I love trying new activities, learning new languages and cooking new dishes even if they sometimes take me a really long time 🙂  

You’ve specialised in ‘ecological justice’ – can you explain what this term means to you and what justice would look like on our planet?  

Yes, so my Liberal Arts degree allowed me to specialise in a topic or two of my choice and I picked Ecological Justice and Sustainable Development, as a lot of the modules I studied intertwined with these two themes. I studied modules such as the Sociology of Green Transformation and Gender in Sustainable Development.  

Ecological justice can mean various different things, especially in literature, but for me, it means making sure that social justice is emphasised when discussing the climate crisis. It is also important to uplift and listen to communities in the Global South, who are not only often the most impacted by the climate crisis but also possess valuable knowledge that is frequently overlooked. Ecological justice also invites us to question the fundamental structures that exist in our society and how we can work together to enact meaningful change.  

You’ve done quite a bit of volunteer work in your time – can you share some information about this and what some of your highlights have been?  

Over the last few years, l have tried to do as many new things as possible, not only so I could learn new skills and put them on my CV but also so I could grow as a person.  

I volunteered at a Women’s International Day event a few years ago, where I helped to organise workshops and run activities and I met so many amazing people. I’ve also volunteered at a local vet, assisting with animal care and administrative duties. It was not only good to see how these kinds of places were run, but I also got to see cute puppies and kittens regularly.  

During University I also volunteered with a non-profit organisation that worked on encouraging more people to get solar panels across the midlands. This is where I was able to work on my researching skills which are still very useful to this day.  

Volunteering meant I put myself out there and met new people who worked in so many different industries. All these experiences was one of the reasons why I decided to join UKY4N.  It is a wonderful feeling to be part of a community that I not only have so much to learn from but also share my values and passion to enact positive change.  

This is a photo from a recent in-person meet-up with UKY4N where I met a group for the first time. It was so lovely.

Describe your perfect Sunday  

A perfect Sunday would be very dependent on how busy my week has been.  But if I had to pick, I’d say it begins with a relaxing morning – sleeping in, followed by a couple of hours lost in the pages of a good book. As a lover of food, I would then go out for brunch either alone or with some friends and family. If the weather is good, which is very hard to predict at the moment, I might go on a walk in the countryside. I am lucky enough to be near nature and being outside is super relaxing for me. I also enjoy writing so I might bring my journal along with me. In the afternoon I would bake a cake, whilst listening to some upbeat music. For the rest of the day, I would put on of my favourite series or film. 

I recently went to the Eden Project and it was amazing to see all the different plants and flowers. 

You can only listen to one genre of music for the rest of your life. What would it be?  

This is a really difficult question but currently, it would be indie rock or pop as a lot of my current favourite artists fall within those categories and I have enjoyed going to small and local gigs recently.  

Take parts of three different wild animals to make your dream pet

 I think I would pick a butterfly as they are so beautiful. And then I would pick a quokka as they have super smiley faces and then I would pick a wild cat of some sort. I’m not sure what the dream pet would look like, but I wanted to pick some of my favourite animals and some that make me smile 🙂

Would you like to join our community of nature loving 16-35 year olds who are on a mission to save the UK’s nature? Find out more here.

On 14th May, UKY4N went to Portcullis House to hear from the Pesticide Collaboration on their newest campaign: a draft bill aiming to ban pesticide use in public spaces. Read on to find out why we were there, what happened, and what you can do to help!

By Ione Howells

Pesticides: What’s the problem?

Pesticides and herbicides not only harm wildlife, but can harm our health as well. In March 2015, the WHO recognised glyphosate, a popular pesticide often sold as ‘RoundUp’, a ‘probable carcinogen’. Meanwhile, the UK’s commitment to the COP15 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework means they are also committed to ‘reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half’.

Pesticide use in urban areas makes up 10% of the UK’s total usage, but we are exposed to them far more frequently as we go about our daily lives. Most of the pesticide use is for cosmetic reasons – if we learn to embrace our urban flora and fauna a little more, we could easily make our streets healthier for us and nature.

The Pesticide Collaboration Event

The PC event was a small one – maybe 20 of us in a small meeting room in the depths of Portcullis House. Once settled with coffee and pastries, Nick Mole from Pesticide Action Network (PAN) opened the meeting with an overview of PAN’s work and the impact of pesticides in our community before introducing the Bill.

The Pesticides Bill hopes to ban the use of pesticides in towns and public spaces, phasing out ‘plant protection products’ – professional pesticides and herbicides – on ‘amenity’ land owned by public authorities. Over 100 local authorities have already voluntarily reduced or phased out pesticides, and France has already enacted a similar ban.

Wera Hobhouse MP and Caroline Lucas MP spoke next, discussing their support for the bill and how it impacts their constituencies. In Bath, glyphosate is already banned, while in Brighton, a pesticide ban has recently been overturned. Despite this setback, both MPs and PAN remain confident that banning toxic pesticides and herbicides in our public spaces is a positive step forward for both us and nature. Baroness Hayman of Ullock, a Labour peer, also discussed the importance of the environment and how we can positively move forward.

“In Westminster, ‘No Mow May’ is beaten in policy popularity only by the introduction of free school meals.”

Cllrs Sam Carling and Paul Dimoldenberg, from Cambridge City and Westminster Councils respectively, then offered their learnings from several years ‘on the ground’, trying to reduce pesticide use in their areas.
Community involvement is key to successful pesticide reduction. By creating a connection with local nature, residents can see the benefits of the change and be involved in future decision-making. Nature-friendly policy is so popular that in Westminster, ‘No Mow May’ is beaten in popularity only by the introduction of free school meals for all children.

After hearing about the introduction of pesticide bans around the country, the event closed with a talk from Lucy Metcalfe, an environmental lawyer from ClientEarth, a law nonprofit working to tackle the climate and nature crises.

Finally, the floor opened, and the discussion turned to the technicalities of the bill. Balance is also key – the proposed bill does not affect individuals and pesticides would remain legal to deal with ‘risks to public health, public safety or public infrastructure or to present a risk to the environment caused by the spread of invasive species or other harmful organisms’.

PAN UK and the other sponsors highlighted the importance of alternative technology to ensure pavements and parks remain clear and accessible to everyone, and that species such as Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed can’t take over.

What happens next?

If you would like to get involved and support the campaign – brilliant! The best place to start is by contacting your local MP and council to ask them to phase out pesticides and show your support. You can also ask your MP to sign Caroline Lucas’ ‘Early Day Motion’ on pesticides to show their support – you can use PAN’s website to send a template letter easily just by providing a postcode. You can also help by campaigning for more nature in cities – watch this space with UKY4N!

Subscribe to our newsletter to ensure you never miss a UK Youth for Nature update, youth nature events throughout the UK, job and training opportunities, and lots more!

If you’re a young person aged 18-35 wanting to join a community of likeminded nature lovers who are fighting for the UK’s wildlife and wild spaces, click here!

by Francesca Read-Cutting

A quick history of ponds

If you travelled back to the mid-twentieth century, ponds would have been familiar part of the landscape, with an approximate 800,000 ponds sprawled across the U.K. and 4 or 5 ponds regularly being found in a single field. Dating back to Medieval times, these bodies of water were once vital water sources for both humans and biodiversity and could be found in every village and town. Additionally, they played a crucial role in transportation, acting as watering holes for weary travelers and their horses.

However, despite their historical significance, the number of ponds in England has drastically declined over the years. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including urbanisation, agricultural intensification, land drainage for development and technological advancements allowing water to become available on tap.

As a result, the U.K. has lost more than 50% of its natural ponds, disrupting ecosystems and diminishing biodiversity.

Why does this matter?

Ponds are incredible hotspots for biodiversity, collectively supporting more species than any other freshwater habitat. In fact, ponds support a staggering 2/3 of all freshwater species, and many species are unique to these habitats. The loss of ponds deprives these species of crucial breeding grounds, foraging areas, and shelter, while networks of ponds also act as ‘nature corridors’, allowing wetland species to disperse around the countryside. Thus the impacts of this decline in ponds on biodiversity are profound.

Great crested newts are just one of many UK species that have suffered steep population declines as a result of wetland removal.

What can YOU do?

Fortunately, individuals can take action to reverse this trend by creating their own ponds. Whether you have a garden or not, there are options available to everyone.

1. Garden Ponds: For those with gardens, creating a pond can be a rewarding and relatively straightforward endeavor. Choose a suitable location with adequate sunlight and dig a hole of the desired size and shape. Line the pond with a durable pond liner, add rocks or logs around the edges for wildlife access, and introduce native aquatic plants to provide habitat and oxygenation. Consider installing a small pump or fountain to keep the water circulating and prevent stagnation.

2. Miniature Ponds in Buckets: Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still create a miniature pond in a bucket or container. Simply fill a large container with water, such as a plastic tub or barrel, and add floating plants or submerged vegetation.

You can also include rocks or sticks for climbing insects and amphibians. Place the container in a sunny spot, and regularly top up the water to compensate for evaporation (use rainwater whenever possible to avoid introducing chemicals or minerals into the pond).

By building ponds, whether in gardens or miniature versions in containers, individuals can contribute to the preservation and restoration of vital habitats for wildlife. These small-scale initiatives not only enhance biodiversity but also provide valuable opportunities for education, enjoyment, and conservation action.

What I’m doing

My family bought a house with a lovely sloped garden, but without many native plants. The bottom of the garden in particular was just lawn. My mum went to a school with a stream running through it, where she spent a lot of time on her tummy giving the caddis fly larvae bits of shell to make their cases.

When my mum visited a friend’s house, she saw a pond that was only 18 months old, but was teeming with newts, dragon flies, water boatman and a proliferation of plants. It looked as though it had been there forever. She realised how much life this tiny body of water could support and how drawn she felt to it, so determined to bring one to our garden.

We dug a hole with shallow shelves allowing wildlife to get in and out, turfed the edge to make it look natural, added pond liner and several plants (elodea) that helped keep the water clean and oxygenated. Then we just waited, and…

Together, we can make a difference in protecting our planet’s precious ecosystems for future generations.

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Extra resources

Watch Leave Curious’s video ‘What if we created 23 Million Mini Ponds?’

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We’re launching a brand new campaign very soon, centred around boosting nature in urban landscapes. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn to stay in the loop!

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Check out this BBC article on making a mini wildlife pond

Would you like to join our community of young nature activists? We’d love to hear from you! Click here to find out more about us and how you can get involved.

By Christina Owen

In March, I was lucky enough to be selected to join Youth and Environment Europe, along with 14 other young people from youth organisations across Europe, for a five-day training programme called ‘Training of Trainers: Empowering the Unheard’. The program was designed to build on our skills as trainers and facilitators, to better amplify and engage marginalised members of our communities. As the conservation sector is one of the least diverse in the UK, I was very keen to learn more about the ways in which UKY4N can improve the work we do to engage with different young people.

Pre-event jitters

I was very nervous before I set off as this was the first event I’ve attended as a solo representative of UKY4N. I also don’t work in the environmental sector so was worried that everyone else would be more experienced or more knowledgeable than me.  I thought it might be a little overwhelming, so I packed a lot of knitting in case I had to hide in my room during our free time and agonised over audiobook choices!

Roomies

However, once I arrived in Budapest, I quickly found my fears to be unfounded. One of the big things I’ve learned since joining UKY4N is that most people who invest their time in climate and nature work are totally delightful! From the moment I met my roommate, I was filled with an incredible energy to make the most of my time there and to forge new connections. As someone who has struggled with mental illness in the past, pushing myself in an environment that is challenging and tiring can feel risky, but I was grateful to discover a community of supportive individuals who looked out for everyone.

Combatting language barriers

The training itself was wide ranging, moving from evaluating events for elements that prevent different participants from taking part, to examining our own organisations through a lens of system innovation.

One of the most impactful moments for me personally came early on when we were discussing terminology, making sure that everyone understood the words and phrases we would be using across the training. I was in a group with a few people from other countries, and we were discussing the definition of ‘Intersectionality’ – a word a lot of us involved in campaigning in the UK will be familiar with. However, one person I was with, despite having incredibly good English language skills, had never heard the word before, and another had only heard it in the context of intersecting fights for different causes.

I was reminded in that moment that even though we all were united by a shared desire to learn about how we can make positive changes in our organisations, we all came from unique contexts, with different aims and situations. In fact, a reminder that the work of climate and nature campaigning is not just important in the UK, is not just happening in the UK, was one of my biggest takeaways.

Taking in the sights

Of course, we didn’t only spend time training, we also found some time to enjoy some sightseeing and nightlife. The baths were incredible after an intense few days, the ruined bars colourful and fun, and the hills not too high. Of course, being from UK Youth for Nature, I also found some time to look for local wildlife, spotting what I think was a stone martin on the bonnet of a car down a dark street. But I only got one picture of it so you’ll have to judge for yourself…

If you’re a young person aged 16-35 who is looking for a community of like-minded nature lovers in the UK, join us! Find out more about how you can get involved with UK Youth for Nature here.

Who are you?

I’m Ione! I’m a postgraduate student in Environmental Policy at the University of Bristol and I currently live in Bath.

I’m a self-professed policy and nature nerd and I’m currently working on a research project exploring the social context of the new Biodiversity Net Gain policy in England – it’s one of the most stringent biodiversity policies in the UK, but it still has a lot of limitations to explore.

In my free time I (predictably) love spending time outdoors – hiking, cycling, camping, birdwatching… anything! I’m hypermobile and had major surgery a few years ago, so now I never take the ability to move my body the ways I want to for granted; reaching the top of a mountain (British or Alpine) is now especially sweet. But I also enjoy nothing more than curling up with a creative project or a good book. I’ve always been indecisive like that – but I prefer ‘multi-talented’!

Your work focuses on environmental policy – why did you focus on that?

I ended up in policy in quite a roundabout way! I always loved nature when I was growing up – I spent a lot of weekends visiting my grandparents in Suffolk and generally making a muddy nuisance of myself. For most of my childhood, I would have told you I wanted to be either a marine biologist or a vet!
For my undergraduate degree, I studied Politics and International Relations. I’ve always been passionate about political issues (hello, family arguments!), but as I progressed through my degree, I found myself rediscovering my love of nature and the environment and engaging more and more with environmental politics and theory.

I love getting philosophical about the relationship we have with nature (and often write on the topic for the Ecologist!), but wanted a way to make a more concrete impact in the nature space. Reading up on policy and leveraging my political background to understand all the jargon was a great opportunity to get involved in creating positive change, and allowed me to keep learning more about the things I’m interested in.

However much we might hate to admit it, policy and legislation are fundamental to the way the United Kingdom works. It can seem dense, technical, and opaque – and, frankly, it’s all of those things, and very dull at times – but it has really important consequences. Policy plays a key role in both preventing environmental destruction and influencing policy outcomes – is one of the major ways we can try and influence change outside of electoral cycles, and it’s a big part of the campaigning we do here at UKY4N.

If you could change one piece of legislation right now, what would it be and why?

It’s not existing legislation, so it doesn’t strictly answer the question – but I would pass the upcoming Climate and Nature Bill.

This bill is really significant – it’s the first time there has been a comprehensive legislative response to the climate and nature crises, one that aims to consider all of the issues at play. It’s been drafted with the support of scientists, ecological economists, and campaigners, and calls for not only a reversal of biodiversity loss by 2030 and a just transition to green energy, but for far more citizen involvement in deciding what our shared future might be. For me, this citizen engagement is crucial! It would be a significant step forward if it were to pass and become law.

Current legislation is often piecemeal, and that makes it difficult to understand what is going on and how it can be enforced. Having one ambitious and progressive piece of legislation could change the outcome of these crises in the UK. The Climate and Nature Bill is supported by 150 cross-party MPs and many charities and businesses too – Deborah Meaden even spoke at the launch event! If you’d like to learn more about it, go to Zero Hour. They’re the organisation running the campaign.

…but, if I had to change some existing legislation at the moment, it would be to regulate water companies a lot more. I don’t think I need to explain that one!

If you could be a koala, a tiger or a buffalo which one would you be?

That’s a tough one! I love the idea of the freedom I’d feel as a tiger or buffalo, running across wide open plains as fast as possible. But I have to admit that the idea of being a prey animal like a buffalo scares me – and as a decade-long vegetarian, I think I’d make a pretty terrible tiger!

So, I think on those grounds I’d have to choose a koala. I’ll be the first to admit I might love sleeping a little bit too much and just like them, I have a big appetite! Spending all my days up in the trees sounds like a great plan to me…

If heaven is a real place, what would it look, sound and smell like to you?

It seems like an underwhelming answer, but I might have to say my parents’ garden back home in Jersey. My dad has always loved gardening and he’s ploughed (literally!) his life and soul into creating a real paradise. It’s at the bottom of a tiny and very steep river valley and opens out onto the floodplain of a nearby dam, so all you can see are trees, flowers, and meadows.

In the summer, I love nothing better than sitting out there in the sun and listening to the birdsong – we get everything from long-tailed, coal, great, and blue tits to green- and goldfinches, thrushes, larks, very friendly robins and even a pair of buzzards that live in the valley year-round. It helps that my parent’s spaniel, Jack, will always keep me company out there as well!

With the dog in the garden in Jersey

It could only be improved on if it had a sea view – since living by the coast when I was younger, I can never spend too long away from the ocean. Saying that, though – my parents’ garden is only 10 minutes away from the beach!

If you could move to anywhere in the world and cost was not an issue, where would you move?

I went to Stockholm a few years ago for work experience and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since, so I think I’d have to pick there. I even wrote two essays on Swedish politics during my undergraduate degree!

A much younger Ione making friends with an Arctic pony in Sweden

I love the friendliness and culture in Scandinavia, the simplicity of life – and Stockholm is full of fascinating museums and gardens. It lies on an archipelago, so it’s easy to get out into nature – and the Arctic Circle is only a train ride away! Being in Europe also means the possibilities for flight-free travel are endless. Copenhagen, anyone? Or even Istanbul?

If money was no object, I’d split my time between a summer cottage on an isolated island in the lakes around the city and a small apartment in the city centre. I stayed in a beautiful apartment in 2016 full of character – big sash windows, art everywhere, vintage furniture, and a little balcony over the city.

While I love the idea of being a bit of a hermit in the wilderness, you can’t live in Sweden without having quick access to a bakery for the best baked goods in the world. Keep the croissants, France – it’s all kanelbullar (cinnamon rolls) for me! (Don’t keep them please – I love them too!). 


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For the Mammal Society’s 70th Annual Conference, our community member Seniz Mustafa chaired a panel for the Friday night lecture ‘Inclusion in Conservation’. Below, Seniz summarises the background to this topic and its importance to the environmental sector and shares her reflections on the event.

A commonality to those within the environmental sector is a dedication to the conservation and protection of our natural landscapes and the species in this country. But too often, the social aspects that are forever intertwined with nature have been less addressed, been sources of conflict, and suffered from a lack of awareness or inaction.

But in this time of biodiversity crisis and nature decline, we know that it impacts all of us. Not just the few, not just those already within the sector, but everyone. So, surely, all people should have the freedom and the choice to take part in conservation?

To unpick and draw up a background on this topic, we need to understand what it means to be inclusive. In the simplest terms, it is the act of including someone or something as part of a group or structure or fostering a sense of inclusion where all identities feel welcome. That is something many people could relate to or understand. Delving deeper, inclusion also means ensuring equal opportunity by bringing opportunities to those with limited access.

What could this look like? It can be socio-economic factors, for example, the cost of transport, not having a car (which is imperative to many jobs in this sector), memberships and outdoor gear…it all adds up. Therefore, leading to a lack of access to training, volunteering or jobs and the ability to network in the sector. Moreover, feeling unsafe or unwelcomed in spaces that are most often dominated by the white middle class, having to work long working hours, or experiencing a lack of educational opportunities.

These are examples of systemic discrimination of identities, such as gender and disability, which overlap and intersect with each other to dissuade and reduce a person’s passion or career in nature. Intersectionality is important to understand because people have many factors that contribute to their identities and experiences. Therefore, when decisions are made, we cannot just look at one factor. We must address them together. For example, if a course for young people to take part in conservation does not address other identities, such as disability and economic status, it could then reinforce inequalities among young people.

It is possible many readers have heard that conservation is the second least diverse sector after farming regarding people of colour. Moreover, how sites are not accessible to those with physical support needs and for those who are neurodiverse, such as those with autism and ADHD.

The interactions with nature at a young age often spark passions people often reminisce about in later life are so important.

As the amazing journalist and ecologist Jasmine Isa Qureshi said in their Gritty Talent article, passions and skills take time to grow and develop. Time and space to explore the world around them and nurture their curiosity is a “luxury” many minorities do not have.

These inclusions can reap such benefits for us all and the young people who could grow into our next generation of adults with opportunities to engage meaningfully with nature that will turn that into a passion for conservation. Even in terms of health, spending time in nature improves sleep and anxiety and lowers blood pressure and stress. This, again, is another reason working in this sector can be quite so lovely, so why not share those benefits?

If conservation means making collective decisions about how to manage, protect and restore shared natural resources fundamental to both our own survival and the species we share the planet with, then the values and perspectives we bring to that decision-making should encompass all of society and all the beautiful differences it contains.

Post-event reflections

‘I had a wonderful time hosting the panel on inclusion in conservation at the Mammal Society 70th annual conference. Importantly, I felt it to be a safe space where I could be more honest and comfortable to share my thoughts. I was thrilled to see such a great turnout, in person and online, and how engaged the audience was 🙌🏼

It was particularly heartwarming, afterwards, to have several members initiate conversations with me on the topic, asking questions and resonating with what was said. To have an open mind, and continue to talk to others on this topic is vital to continue the movement to make our sector more inclusive.’

Watch the webinar here ↓↓↓↓

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If you’ve read this article and feel inspired to join our community of young nature activists, click here to find out more.