During my time as the ranger and volunteer coordinator for the Mendip Hills National Landscape, there have been many successes, but the one of which I am possibly most proud is our amazing Young Ranger Programme. This scheme, which has now been running for over 15 years, aims to introduce young people living either in or around the National Landscape to a variety of skills and knowledge that will enable them to pursue a future career in and around the countryside sector. Every two years, fifteen young people living either in or around the National Landscape are selected from a pool of applicants to participate.
Over the course of their two-year programme, the young people in the group have tried their hand at many of the day-to-day jobs facing rangers on the Mendip Hills. One month, they may be coppicing or dry-stone walling; another, they could be learning surveying skills or building nest boxes. They have also been taught first aid and the basic navigation skills needed to find their way around the hills. We have had amazing success stories from past young rangers. Our alumni include a successful author, a professional drystone waller, a full-time outdoor pursuits instructor, and many who have gone into farming or studied environmental subjects at a higher level. Each has their own individual success story.
Recently we were joined by the amazing team from Somerset Film, who had invited us to take part in their Nature in Focus 'climate film in a day' initiative. The aim was for the young rangers to produce a short film about their thoughts, hopes, and fears for that environment as they see it. During this fascinating and packed day, the young rangers took on every role in the film masking process. They first came up with the concept, followed by writing the script and storyboarding. They then led us into one of the National Landscapes nature reserves, directing, filming and presenting their story to the camera, followed by overseeing the editing. During the filming, they highlighted their concerns for the future, looking at issues small and large, talking about everything from climate change and off-road driving to the impact of dogs in the countryside. As someone who has seen them develop over the last two years, it was inspiring to see them talk so passionately about the issues that will affect them in the future and, more to the point, that they seem to have taken in what we have been talking to them about.
Their finished film was selected to be shown at the Frome International Climate Film Festival in May. Just getting to this stage is a fantastic achievement as only three hundred of the nearly nine hundred films entered will be shown. If this success wasn’t enough, for their dedication and amazing work, they have been Nominated for a Youth and Environment Award from the Royal Bath and West of England Society.
If you know of any environmentally minded young people living in the Mendip Hills National Landscape area who will be entering school years 7 or 8 in September and are looking for a fun way to learn more about the natural world and make some amazing new friends, then please get them to apply at mendiphills-nl.org.uk.
