Young people help conserve South Buckinghamshire’s beautiful countryside

Around 600 young people will get active this spring to help conserve some of south Buckinghamshire’s beautiful countryside.

In a major programme organised by the volunteer woodland group Chiltern Rangers, more than 20 youth organisations will rally support to help clear footpaths, cut back trees and bushes, and declutter streams.

The thirty four three hour long sessions at ten beauty spots and nature reserves will run during weekends between the middle of January and March, as well as during the February half term school holiday.

Although several groups have already signed up, Chiltern Rangers founder John Shaw says there are still volunteering opportunities for young people between eight and eighteen.

The conservation programme has been made possible through £22,000 in grant funding from Buckinghamshire County Council Local Area Forums and Local Community Partnerships.

This will pay for planning, organising and overseeing the sessions, and will help participating groups, like Scouts, Guides, Young Farmers and youth clubs, to buy equipment.

Martin Phillips, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement at Buckinghamshire County Council, said: ‘We’re fortunate to have so many young people in Buckinghamshire who do some really great things for the community. I’m delighted we’re supporting this programme, which gives them an opportunity to help make our open spaces and nature reserves more welcoming and better managed.‘