Ambassadors for wild places

Junior Rangers take action to protect their local wild places

Since August 2021, 20 local young people from Lochaber and Ullapool High School have been taking part in our first Junior Ranger programmes; providing young people living on, or near, John Muir Trust land at Ben Nevis and Quinag with the opportunity to learn about their local area and develop practical and lifelong skills to increase their chances of taking on future roles in nature conservation. 

Ullapool High School Head Teacher Robbie McFedries said: “This is a tremendously exciting programme which really opens their eyes to what is happening locally, nationally and globally and perhaps plants seeds for active contribution in later life.”

The year-long programme is based around the John Muir Award and Scottish Countryside Ranger Association Junior Ranger Award. So far, the young people have:

• contributed to our conservation work in a diverse range of habitats
• learned about deer management
• explored visitor management challenges and learned the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
• developed their skills in navigation, teamwork and boosted their nature knowledge
• been ambassadors for wild places by representing the Trust at community events.

They have had the opportunity to work with a number of neighbouring organisations and specialists including Aberdeen Science Centre, Nevis Landscape Partnership, West Sutherland Fisheries Trust, West Edge, Leckmelm Wood and Woodland Trust.

We are excited to continue working with these enthusiastic young conservationists for the rest of their academic year.

Thank you to our funders ALA Green for making these experiences possible. Thanks also to Gift Your Gear and Coigach Assynt Living Landscape Partnership for their kind donations of outdoor clothing and equipment.  

Photo shows our Junior Rangers in Glen Nevis