Keeping it Wild

#KeepingitWild

Keeping it Wild:

Urban nature opportunities for young people in London

Since 2018, London Wildlife Trust has been delivering the Keeping it Wild programme which successfully inspired over 1000 young people aged 11-25 to become actively involved in the protection and promotion of London’s natural heritage. Young people took part in Environmental Social Action Projects in their local communities, completed Paid Traineeships and were involved with our Youth Forum with the overall aim of making nature more inclusive, accessible and relevant to young people living in London.

The programme focused on young people who are typically under-represented in the environmental sector, with 93% of young people coming from at least one of the target groups: Black, Asian or minoritised ethnic heritage (76%), disabled young people (30%) or young people from lower socio-economic communities (41% of Keeping It Wild participants live in the top 20% most deprived communities in England). The project really set out to help change the face of the environmental movement! Read the Final Impact Report here

The project was delivered by a partnership, led by London Wildlife Trust and included London Youth, Headliners UK and John Muir Trust. The first phase of Keeping it Wild was one of 12 National Lottery Heritage Funded Kick the Dust projects. Further support came from George Bairstow Charitable Trust, and Tallow Chandlers Charitable T rust.

The Next Chapter: 2021-2024

We have received further funding for the project which means we have the exciting opportunity to continue the impactful work being achieved with young people at the Trust. This includes another 40 paid traineeships for young people (aged 16-25) and a new Youth Board with 3 Young Advisor roles.

This opportunity is funded by the Mayor of London and the National Lottery Heritage Fund with support from the Westminster Foundation, the Kusuma Trust and The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers.

Keeping it Wild Promotional Film - Year 3 (https://youtu.be/H7dypQdDT9A)

Keeping it Wild Promotional Film - Year 3 - film created by Morgan Evans Media

There are plenty of opportunities for you and your friends to get involved in:

Nine youth board members smiling in a group photo on wooden decking by the pond at Camley Street Natural Park.

Youth Board & Young Advisors

London Wildlife Trust is placing youth voices right at the heart of the Trust’s governance structure in the form of a new Youth Board and Young Advisors. The Youth Board is open to young people aged 16-25 who are passionate about London’s wildlife, motivated to create change and ensuring young people’s voices are heard.

Youth board applications are now closed. Have a look at what the Youth Board have been up to below.

Find out more

A group of Keeping it Wild trainees leading a identification session at Centre for Wildlife Gardening

Paid Traineeships

Keeping it Wild Trainees spend four months with us learning practical skills in urban nature conservation, community engagement, environmental education and communications. The Traineeship is full-time and paid at London Living Wage.

Applications are currently closed. Sign up to our mailing list below to stay up to date with the next round.

Find out more from young people involved in the project:

Keeping it Wild Promo Film Year 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GZW6A9SL2s)

Film created by Morgan Evans Media

The latest from Keeping it Wild:

Read all about the the Keeping it Wild project over the three years in the final summary report

Keeping it Trainees, Fowsia, Amal, Johnathon, Zak and Layla with Senior Reserve Officer Rob

Festival of Learning Awards

We are thrilled that the Keeping it Wlild Traineeships activity strand has been recognised as Highly Commended in the Festival of Learning Awards 2020. Festival of Learning is the biggest celebration of lifelong learning in England, find out more here.