If you believe the national chatter in the media and social networks, we're all living in fear of what we now term "young people"; the ones being blamed for the lawless rioting witnessed across the country and dubbed a lost generation of "no-hopers".
It's not true of the children, teenagers and young adults that I know from my community in Hackney or from the friends and class mates of my children in primary and secondary schools in the borough. I'm sure my experiences are not unique and we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that the majority of these "young people" deserve a better image.
As part of her citizenship coursework, my daughter and her classmates are campaigning for the voting age to be lowered. They argue that they're taught about politics and are encouraged to get involved in society, yet are denied the right to vote. They feel they have no voice when it comes to shaping their own futures or the neighbourhoods where they live. This was a hot topic for them before the school holidays and before the riots. It was exciting to see them debate the pros and cons of the argument. They all felt that playing a part in society and looking after the environment are important.
Lowering the voting age may be one way forward. These are school students who want to help improve society and have lots of energy, ideas and enthusiasm to offer. Each, in their own way, are discovering ways to contribute. A fifteen year old Islington boy's been quietly doing his bit for the world over the past four years and has now raised more than fifteen thousand pounds for charities. Robin Johnson's story is unlikely to make the front pages of national newspapers, yet we should all celebrate his drive, initiative and passion.
The RSPB, in partnership with the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, is doing what it can to provide opportunities for this much maligned generation. Our Wild Place Your Space team recently took a group camping, something none of the participants had experienced before. The group of boys and girls aged 14 to 17 (Pictured) all found the hands on style of the camping trip inspired them to discover more about nature and the world. That's a great outcome for a group of people who've repeatedly been given the message that they pose a problem and who were then in danger of being excluded from society.
For my parents' generation, Teddy Boys and Mods were demonised. My generation had punk. Today we've moved beyond hoodies and have sadly almost categorised all young people (12 to 24) as trouble.
Walking along the canal to the Olympic site on Sunday, I passed various estates, like Millfields, Mabley Green and Leabank Square. They each have thriving communities driven by the energy of young people. Alongside these are the Films on Fridges and the Folly for a Flyover projects. Brilliant outdoor spaces conceived by young minds that benefit and improve local places for people and indirectly, for wildlife too.
There are so many good things going on that have a bedrock of sustainability, yet the people behind these initiatives are not as universally celebrated as they should be. It should be their accomplishments that we all aspire to copy.
I'm sure you've got examples of your own, why not share your nature champions by commenting on them here? Better still, step-up for nature yourself, click here for some ideas on how.