Species on the Edge partnership
2 October 2023
Read in Gaelic / Leugh ann an Gàidhlig
A brand new conservation programme, Species on the Edge, is inviting young folks from Scotland’s coasts and islands to use for its Youth Panel.
Species on the Edge is a partnership programme of NatureScot and 7 conservation charities, all devoted to supporting vulnerable and threatened species discovered alongside Scotland’s coast and islands.
With over £6 million of funding, together with £4 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Species on the Edge companion organisations are delivering a four-and-a-half yr programme of conservation exercise throughout seven undertaking areas: the Outer Hebrides; the Inner Hebrides and Argyll; the North Coast; the East Coast; Orkney; Shetland; and the Solway Coast.
The programme is now recruiting 14 young folks between the ages of 16 and 25 from throughout the seven Species on the Edge undertaking areas for his or her Youth Panel.
The Species on the Edge Youth Panel will deliver these young folks collectively to debate points referring to the pure atmosphere and their communities. Panellists will meet not less than 4 instances a yr on-line, and could have the chance to hitch a totally funded spring residential. The function of the Youth Panel is to assist young folks in creating the talents and confidence they should turn out to be champions for nature of their communities.
Through the Species on the Edge Youth Panel, panel members will: meet new folks and study from specialists throughout the conservation sector; obtain coaching and develop their expertise, confidence, and employability; and obtain assist in creating their very own undertaking to encourage others to attach with nature.
Applications at the moment are open and are accessible from the Species on the Edge web site.
Fiona Strachan, Species on the Edge Programme Manager, mentioned:
“It’s great to see the Species on the Edge Youth Panel opening for applications. This will be a fantastic opportunity for young people in our project areas to have a say on what happens in their area, whilst connecting with panel members in other areas and learning from each other and experts in the field. The experience they gain through being involved will be really valuable to both them and Species on the Edge and we are looking forward to meeting them.”
Francesca Osowska, NatureScot’s Chief Executive, mentioned:
“Scotland’s nature is struggling, with a few of our most vulnerable species now on the point of extinction. Biodiversity loss is a worldwide menace to humanity so it’s crucial that we act now to assist nature and convey again species from the sting.
Species on the Edge is one in all Scotland’s most formidable conservation tasks up to now and we’re very excited that as a part of this programme we will likely be supporting young folks to turn out to be advocates for his or her native wildlife of their communities. Investing in young folks and offering them with the instruments to develop problem-solving and management expertise is important to the preservation of the pure world.”
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, mentioned:
“Species on the Edge is working with a few of Scotland’s most geographically distant communities. The Youth Panel is a incredible alternative for young folks to assist practical conservation work the place they stay and acquire expertise and expertise of working strategically at a nationwide stage.
Through the Youth Panel, these young folks will develop their capability and confidence to advocate successfully for our pure heritage, and for the advantages to communities of supporting its preservation.”
Find out extra about Species on the Edge on their web site.
And observe together with the programme on Twitter (@SpeciesEdge) and on Facebook.
