The Pembrokeshire National Park Authority are asking for young people to apply to join its youth committee, as it plans for the future.
During the lockdowns, the youth committee has been holding regular online meetings to discuss plans for the future. Members of the authority have been organising lots of positive activities within the county, such as the launch of the park’s new website and the first face-to-face litter pick on the weekend of 7th May. They do note though, that they have an issue with ‘recruitment and retention’ and are calling for more young people to become involved in their work.
The youth committee is made up of Pembrokeshire residents aged 14 to 25. Anyone over the age of 16 can also get involved with the organisation’s Youth Rangers.
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Next Generation promotional material emphasising the benefits that members of the committee will gain, such as tackling problems that young people face when living, learning and working near the National Park. They will also have more of a say on the decisions that affect them. The Authority add that by becoming a Youth Ranger, young people can take practical steps to help nature and the National Park, explore the hidden places and gain skills and experiences, all while having fun.
Authority chairman Cllr Paul Harries said he was really pleased it’s continuing in these difficult circumstances and highlighted the work of discovery ranger Tom Moses with the youth provision.
Mr Moses has said online that youth members have renamed their provision as National Park Next Generation, with anyone interested in nature and the national park, practical work outdoors or developing policy and practice of the authority and other organisations relating to young people encouraged to get involved.
Anyone interested can find out more from Tom via tomm@pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk or 07773788205, or on Facebook at facebook.com/PCNPAYourPark
