Species on the Edge Youth Panel members - applications open now!

In today's guest blog our partners at Nature Scot tell us about the Species on the Edge project as applications open for a new Youth Panel.

Species on the Edge is excited to announce that applications for its Youth Panel are now open! Are you aged between 16 and 25, based in one of the Species on the Edge project areas, and passionate about your local wildlife? If so, this is an opportunity for you!

What is Species on the Edge?

Species on the Edge is a new multi-partner conservation programme dedicated to supporting vulnerable and threatened species found along Scotland’s coast and islands. With a programme cost of over £6 million, and £4 million funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme will be active for the next four years across seven project areas in Scotland.

RSPB Scotland is one of eight conservation organisations working together on Species on the Edge. RSPB Scotland are leading activity in three of the seven Species on the Edge project areas - Argyll and the Inner Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland – and employ six project officers, spread quite literally the length of Scotland: from the Solway Coast up to Shetland.

Species on the Edge is working with local communities in some of Scotland’s most remote areas to establish projects that provide a vital lifeline for our most nationally and internationally vulnerable coastal and island wildlife. The aim of the programme is to:

• secure and improve the future for coastal and island species in Scotland;
• form a support network between communities to safeguard vulnerable biodiversity;
• strengthen the partnership approach to conservation work in Scotland; and
• raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity to Scotland.

 Marsh Fritillary Underwing by Adam Gor 

Why a Youth Panel?

We know there is already a strong sense of connection between many rural communities and their local wildlife and we want to promote, grow, and strengthen this connection. Over the next four years, Species on the Edge will be engaging with communities on Scotland’s coasts and islands to support this connection to nature and will be working closely with local people, including land managers, to help them look after and secure a future for their local biodiversity, to benefit both people and nature.

And of course, young people have a vital role to play in securing the future of their local species. At Species on the Edge, we believe that investing in young people and providing them with accurate information and tools to develop problem-solving and leadership skills is vital to the preservation of the natural world. In addition, providing opportunities for young people to do this from within their own communities has the potential to create a powerful cascading effect and influence positive action.

 Scottish primrose by  Sam Stringer 

What is the Species on the Edge Youth Panel?

The Species on the Edge Youth Panel will bring together 14 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 from across the Species on the Edge project areas to discuss issues relating to the natural environment and their communities. Panellists will meet at least four times a year online, and will have the opportunity to join a fully funded spring residential. The purpose of the Youth Panel is to support these young people in developing the skills and confidence they need to become champions for their local wildlife in their communities.

Through the Species on the Edge Youth Panel, panel members will:

• meet new people and learn from experts within the conservation sector;
• receive training and develop their skills, confidence and employability; and
• receive support in developing their own project to encourage others to connect with nature. 

Who can apply?

Applications are open to anyone aged between 16 and 25 and based in one of our seven project areas: the Outer Hebrides; the Inner Hebrides and Argyll; the North Coast; the East Coast; Orkney; Shetland; and the Solway Coast.

We want to reach a wide range of young people with a breadth of experiences. So whether you have lots of experience of conservation volunteering, or none, we encourage you to apply; all we ask is that you:

• are interested in Scotland’s wildlife;
• have good listening and communication skills;
• are willing to learn new skills;
• are able to commit to join at least four virtual meetings a year; and
• are willing to commit to planning your own connection to nature project, with budget and staff support from the Species on the Edge team.

Species on the Edge is dedicated to being a programme everyone can get involved in. We are committed to supporting the needs of diverse communities and to equality of opportunity and we expect our Youth Panel members to share that commitment.

How do I apply?

Applications are open now on the Species on the Edge website.

Anyone interested can fill in an expression of interest form. Applicants with the most suitable expressions of interest will then be invited for an online chat, and from there we will select our 14 Youth Panel members!

 Sign up to the Species on the Edge mailing list. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch: SOTE@nature.scot.

 Header image - a  Dunlin taken by Lorne Gill