The Guardian/Sandra Laville: 'World's biggest' youth-led conservation scheme begins in Wales

The Guardian

Conservation
'World's biggest' youth-led conservation scheme begins in Wales

Organisers say Penpont project will create blueprint for how youth action and conservation can bring change

Sandra Laville

Tue 2 Jul 2019 10.53 BST
Last modified on Tue 2 Jul 2019 12.54 BST

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Young people take part in the Penpoint project in the Brecon Beacons

Twenty young people are embarking on an ambitious conservation project across 2,000 acres of the Brecon Beacons to help tackle the decline in British wildlife.
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The volunteers are part of the Penpont project, which organisers say is the biggest youth conservation attempt in the world. They will work with tenant farmers, landowners and local people to enhance habitats in order to protect the local flora and fauna.
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The organisers, Action for Conservation, say they are hoping to create a blueprint for how youth action and conservation can bring change. The charity gives young people from diverse backgrounds a chance to take part in environmental action.
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Hendrikus van Hensbergen, the chief executive of the charity, said he hoped the project would create a game-changing example of how young people can work in collaboration with locals to protect the natural world.
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“We are at a critical juncture when it comes to our environment,” said Van Hensbergen. “A recent UN report calls for transformative change to avert an extinction crisis.
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“Now is the time to take positive action to reverse ecological and climate breakdown and there is compelling evidence to show the value of restoring nature to halt biodiversity loss and act as a natural climate solution.”
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The initiative comes as young people have made their voices heard with school strikes and by taking part in direct action with Extinction Rebellion. “There is no better time to build on this energy with a transformative youth-led project here in the UK,” he said. “We hope the Penpont project acts as a beacon of hope and inspiration for like-minded initiatives the world over.”
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The project will be launched in the Brecon Beacons on Tuesday. Gareth Davies, a tenant farmer whose family have farmed the estate for three generations, said: “We are looking forward to working together with these passionate young people to show how nature restoration can go hand in hand with sustainable farming practices, to make sure we maintain healthy soils, clean water and vital wildlife species long into the future.”

The youth leaders will start by undertaking ecological surveys of an initial 322-acre site alongside pupils from neighbouring schools. They plan to draw up restoration projects for the land, and hope to use the project to help educate children.

Nature is faring worse in Britain than in many other countries. Populations of endangered animals have declined by two-thirds since 1970, according to a recent report.

Deep Shah, a 16-year-old group member from London, said: “More people need to care about our environment in the UK and beyond, and our hope is that this pioneering project will inspire others to follow in our footsteps and spark a chain reaction of similar projects. If we can do it, then why can’t you?”
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    Wales
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