Trust pledges to support 20,000 young Scots to connect with wildness

Trust backs Scottish #iwill4nature campaign to ensure young people are empowered to take action for our planet in 2020

The John Muir Trust has pledged to inspire 20,000 young people across Scotland during 2020 to get involved in social action by connecting with, enjoying and caring for wild places through its John Muir Award as part of the recently launched #iwill4nature campaign.

Launched in November 2019, #iwill4nature is set to increase opportunities for young people to act on behalf of our natural environment, and encourage commitment from organisations to embed youth social action into their work and long-term strategies. The Trust has supported the #iwill UK campaign since 2013 that makes volunteering and social action a part of everyday life for young people aged 10-20.

Toby Clark, John Muir Award Scotland Manager at the John Muir Trust says, “We want to continue to showcase the positive impacts young people are having on their communities, our wild places and the planet by supporting thousands to continue to get involved in the John Muir Award and other engagement activities we will run across Scotland this year.”

During 2020, the Trust’s #iwill4nature pledge is to:

• Inspire 20,000 young people across all of Scotland’s 32 Local Authorities to get involved in social action by connecting with, enjoying and caring for wild places through the John Muir Award
• Pilot Junior Ranger programmes on John Muir Trust properties, creating opportunities for young people to access hands-on experience of wild places on their doorsteps, and developing lifelong knowledge, skills and confidence
• Promote and embed young people into our work and strategies building on the ReRoute recommendations (Scotland’s Youth Biodiversity Panel)

#iwill4nature also supports Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, and the many ways in which young people connect with and make a positive difference for our seas, lochs, rivers, canals, ponds and more. See our Get Involved guide for information, resources, ideas and activities to support participation.

Read more on young people and nature through our dedicated webpages.

Photo caption: #iwill ambassadors help launch Scotland’s #iwill4nature campaign

Photo credit: YouthLink Scotland