Member Article

Want to become a coastal crusader?

Young people in North Northumberland are being asked to make coastal conservation one of their New Year’s resolutions this January.

For, Coast Care Northumberland has teamed up with The Seahouses Development Trust for the return of its Young Rangers Program - an exciting opportunity for teenagers with a passion for the great outdoors… and it’s totally free!

The Coast Care Young Rangers will be run by Seahouses Development Trust Youth Worker Jane Smith, together with Coast Care staff Laura Shearer and Anna Chouler.

The Coast Care initiative works to protect the North Northumberland Coastal area, is supported thanks to money raised from National Lottery players through a grant of £522,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and is run by Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership, Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Seahouses Development Trust.

At a local level, the Young Rangers have also received a generous donation from Jeff and Jill Sutheran owners of the multi award winning St Cuthbert’s House B & B on Main Street, Seahouses. The ‘Coast Care’ area is the coastal landscape from Amble in the south, to Berwick in the north, and stretching west as far as Lowick, Belford and Alnwick - a stunning landscape popular with local people and visitors alike and well worth preserving.

Starting in January 2018, the new Young Rangers program offers young people, aged between 13 and 19, a great opportunity to learn about the North Northumberland coast by visiting areas such as the Farne Islands, learning bush craft skills, co-ordinating litter picking events, finding out about the work of the Northumberland Coastguard as well as having an introduction to first aid. There will be plenty of fun activities over the ten sessions and a chance to gain a valuable John Muir Award.

Jane Smith from the Seahouses Development Trust said: “All too often, young people receive a negative press, so it is wonderful that this project gives young people a chance to make a difference and, as our coastal environment falls under increasing pressure, each and every one of them can be proud that when they join, they really will be helping to preserve the area for everybody to enjoy.”

This view is echoed by Laura Shearer, Coast Care officer, who says: “I am so excited to be working with our local young people to help encourage a passion for conservation, none of which would have been made possible without the support from players of the National Lottery. The Coast Care initiative has got off to a great start and 2018 is shaping up to be even better.”

For more information please visit www.coast-care.co.uk/youngrangers. There are only 12 places available, so don’t delay. To apply complete the application form on the website by the 30th November. For more information email youngrangers@coast-care.co.uk

You can follow the Coast Care project on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Coast-Care-Northumberland

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Northumberland Wildlife Trust .