Urban Nature is all about the world around us, it’s about stopping for a minute and thinking about how nature can complement our urban surroundings - the trees, the gardens... But hang on a minute, what if my youth club is in the middle of an estate and all I can see is concrete?!!

Urban Nature aims to enhance opportunities for young people in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the capital to experience and learn from the natural environment. Although other environmental projects exist, they are not usually aimed at this demographic and are pitched with a higher level of commitment and knowledge. 

The project’s aim is to work with our members to educate young people on the natural world and the effects of their actions upon it, inspiring them to benefit from and contribute to the natural environment around them throughout their lives. The emphasis of the project is working with member organisations rather than young people in isolation. One condition of project involvement is that youth clubs sign up to an environmental audit and to make a commitment moving forward on a simple action plan. Our hope is to really impact on the organisation, inspiring young people and youth workers and making clear links with local environmental organisations to ensure sustainability past the project end.   

The Residential Weekend

All youth clubs who engage in the programme will have the opportunity to participate in a residential weekend at our outdoor education centre Hindleap Warren set in 300 acres of the Ashdown Forest in rural Sussex. Young people will have a chance to explore ways that the experience may relate to their everyday lives and be inspired to initiate their own environmental projects back in London.  To read more about the 2011 Urban Nature residentials, click here.

Environmental Youth Action Projects

On their return to London, young people will design, deliver and learn from their own environmental initiatives inspired by their weekend away. They will have a budget to develop their ideas and will be supported by the Environmental Action Officer who will be offering direct facilitation to each of the projects and youth workers.  To read more about the 2011 Urban Nature projects, click here. 

Contact

If you’re a young person from a youth club or project or a youth leader interested in the programme then please do get in touch with Marlon at marlon.gibbins@londonyouth.org.uk. Or if you’ve got direct experience in environmental studies and are interested in volunteering we’ll also be interested in hearing from you.