Youth Advisory Group

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.

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.

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.

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!

Hi, my name is Ibraheem, I'm 19 and I'm a new member of YAG.  I live in the inner city, but I've always loved wildlife and the outdoors, and especially nature.  I want to help young people like me fall in love with nature and enjoy time outdoors, just like I have.  Let’s get out there and enjoy everything green spaces have to offer!

Hi, I’m Chloe and I’m a 22 year old journalism graduate. I have always enjoyed the natural world, and this became a huge passion once I began wildlife photography and started learning more about the animals we share our home with, and seeing them zoomed in made me appreciate all the small details which we often miss.

I enjoy exploring new wild places with my camera and keeping record of all the bird species I have encountered. I also like writing and fine art, where I’m often painting images inspired by wildlife!

I am a passionate vegan and I am devoted to doing what I can to help nature thrive, both locally and on a global scale. I believe ‘doing your bit’ is so important. I hope through the YAG I can put my skills learned in my degree to use and both voice the concerns of young people, and encourage others to help nature too.

Hi, I’m Emily, a 23 year old environmental consultant from Cheltenham. I have always been interested in the interactions of humans with the natural environment, having graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Sustainable Development.

I have joined YAG to find a greater community of like-minded people who have the shared goal of inspiring current and future generations to take an interest in nature conservation and appreciation.  The importance of sharing ideas during a time of biodiversity and climate crisis cannot be underestimated, and I hope my journey at YAG can be used positively to amplify the voices of young people.

I can be found spending my free time on long walks in the countryside - I am on a mission to visit every UK national park! I also love playing music, especially the violin, where I love learning about composers who have been inspired by the English countryside. 

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.

Former and founding Chair of YAG, and GWTs’ first Young Trustee. Began volunteering for GWT to give young people from working class backgrounds outside the sector a voice in land management. I feel very proud when I see YAG achieving its purpose, evidenced by the soaring numbers of young people who are now engaged with GWT, nature, and each other, through YAG. 

I gained so many skills and experiences through GWT which have helped me forge a career where I pursue my greatest interests. I started in Conservation as a Wild Trainee with GWT, then moved into Forestry on Glenlivet Estate in Scotland (with a small foray into Academia).  Now I'm working for Crown Estate Scotland, designing and implementing the Governance structures which will drive and oversee the management of a vast amount of public land in Scotland, delivering lasting value for years to come.