Introducing our first ever Butterfly Conservation Youth Panel!
The panel is made up of 10 young people, aged 16-25 years old, from all the corners of the UK.
We know that young people want to engage with nature & conservation organisations. We know that young people will be disproportionately affected by the climate crisis and nature decline. And we also know that currently less than 1% of people supporting or volunteering with Butterfly Conservation are aged under 25. This is where we want to make a difference.
Our goal is to work together to reduce the existing barriers so that more young people can become part of Butterfly Conservation. We’re only 10 people so of course we are not representative of all young people in the UK – we recognise that and want to focus on how we can include everyone. The message we want other young people to get is that you are not alone, that Butterfly Conservation is for you, too. The environmental sector can and should be accessible to those who are young, ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and all other walks of life.
"Joining the youth panel for me meant representing people who may not have had the same opportunities in life as others in the environmental sector and wanting to inspire others in my community to take part in conservation to protect and support the important species in our area."
~ Sasha, aged 23.
"I’ve always been passionate about volunteering for nature, and the Butterfly Conservation youth panel offers an exciting opportunity to help protect these important species while working alongside other youth people who share the same interest."
~ Farhana, aged 22.
"One of my favourite things about moths is their ability to be an easily accessible (plus fun!) form of nature for anyone – every night, you can witness a diverse array of species across the UK, and with enough care, even hold one of these beautiful creatures in the palm of your hand."
~ Leanna, aged 25
Youth Panel News & Updates
If you are a young person keen to follow our progress and find out how you can get involved and be a part of our movement, please complete this short form.
Butterfly Conservation's Youth Panel is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.