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Generation Green

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Connecting young people to nature

Explore how we, alongside our partners, helped thousands of young people from socially disadvantaged areas connect to nature in the New Forest – some for the first time.

This was possible through Generation Green 1 and 2 and funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition. YHA (England & Wales) hosted the project on behalf of the partners – The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council, National Landscapes, and nine of the English National Parks via National Parks England.

More information about the national Generation Green campaigns can be found on the YHA website.

A group of primary school children gathered in front of a member of the NFNPA education and youth team. Some have hands up. They are stood in a wooded area and all wearing thick coats, some have hats, it appears to be winter.

Generation Green

The New Forest National Park Authority was awarded a £65,000 grant to support a Wild Spaces Youth Project and apprentice rangers from April 2021 to March 2022.

Wild Spaces Youth Project:

Groups of young people aged 11-25 enjoyed six to 10 day sessions in nature, including geocaching and photography to build confidence, as well as residential nights at the Youth Hostel in Burley.

Another Wild Spaces project involved a session with our New Forest inclusive cycling charity partner, PEDALL.

Apprentice rangers:

The scheme also funded apprentice rangers who spent time with six ranger teams across the New Forest including NFNPA, Forestry England, National Trust, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and the RSPB.

Find out more about our apprentice rangers here.

Four young boys sat on a shingle beach looking out to sea with binoculars

Generation Green 2

As part of Generation Green 2, the New Forest National Park Authority worked with the Countryside Education Trust (CET) in Beaulieu, to provide funded visits for over 1,000 eligible young people living in areas of social disadvantage to connect with the National Park.

The visits encouraged nature connection through coast and river experiences, opportunities to explore the special qualities of the New Forest and an evening under the stars with the NPA education and youth and ranger teams, as well as farm and woodland discovery with CET.

Our current projects

Find out how our education and youth team are currently supporting young people in the Children and young people section.

Read more about Generation Green