Wildlife trust raising money to form youth forum

Online donations to Somerset Wildlife Trust’s campaign are being doubled this week

A wildlife charity is aiming to raise £40,000 in April thanks to a match-funding initiative.

All donations to the Somerset Wildlife Trust this week will be doubled through the Big Give Green Match Fund.

The trust says it will use any funds to help young people strengthen their connection to nature through the work of its Wilder Youth Officer Siân Bentley.

It says many young people lose their interest in nature after the age of 10.

The charity was selected to be one of the organisations that benefits from the match-funding, which comes from a variety of supporters including the Reed Foundation.

The role of the Wilder Youth Officer involves fostering practical skill development in young people, building youth-led community initiatives, and establishing an active youth forum in Somerset.

Ms Bentley said the forum will be aimed at young people between the age of 12 and 24.

"It will help shape the future for wildlife and nature by equipping them with the skills and experience they need to speak up about the environmental issues they care about," she added.

According to the Somerset Wildlife Trust, recent studies have shown most young people lose their connection to nature after the age of 10 and, once lost, it can take 20 years to recover.

With a climate and nature emergency already declared, the trust says it is vital young people are able strengthen their connections to the natural world.