The Manx Wildlife Trust is launching a group for budding young conservationists interested in finding out more about the natural world in the Isle of Man.
Wildlife Watch Rangers – aimed at giving a voice to 11 to 16 year-olds – meets for the first time this Saturday (January 10).
Planned activities include everything from using microscopes to examine pond life, visiting and helping with detailed surveys on the trust’s reserves, understanding legislation of our countryside and how biodiversity action plans are established, and working together to front campaigns on issues which they feel are important. It could also see members collecting data on air quality, which would fit in with the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network, which runs an online collection of data.
MWT biodiversity education officer Dawn Dickens said: ‘They don’t need any experience at all, just an interest in wildlife, animals, plants etc, love being outdoors, and want to engage with the natural world on the island.
‘It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, explore the different aspects to conservation work, further their own interests and understanding of nature, whilst having fun outdoors learning about our wonderful wildlife. ‘The things which we learn will help re-enforce their biology and environmental studies.
‘They really can make a difference and their ideas are important.’
Dawn explained the new group was a response to the fact that at most of her events, the majority of the attendees are primary school age.
‘I have had a few teenagers attend and they have really felt out of it because of the sheer numbers of youngsters,’ she said. ‘They want something a bit more informative, hands on and a more scientific approach.
‘What struck me more than anything else is that this age group are really disengaged at a lot of functions, not just at the Trust events.
‘They don’t want to be treated like children and feel they don’t have a voice but really want to be heard. So this group will be more in-depth fact finding, getting their hands dirty, doing hands on conservation work, like tree planting, and getting their voices out and about telling of their concerns for wildlife and the habitats.’
The first meeting takes place at the MWT offices in Market Place, Peel, on Saturday from 3pm to 4pm.
‘I would like the attendees to discuss what they would like to find out about, what they would like to do and what they feel are important issues,’ Dawn said.
She will be asking them to formulate a campaign which they would like to run, for example, getting rid of plastic carrier bags.
And she will give a brief presentation on the MWT’s work and hand out literature and the charity’s diary for the year.
Dawn will also bring a variety of specimens along, which will be looked at in detail.
They include a seal pup skull and some barn owl wings, which Dawn described as being ‘so soft and the markings are simply stunning’.
Wildlife Watch Rangers will meet every third Saturday afternoon of the month for an hour and a half.
The meetings would take place immediately after the WATCH group, which is aimed at youngsters aged four to 11.
Venues will vary, with the idea being to cover the different habitats around the island.
Encouraging teenagers to come along, Dawn said: ‘So come on all you teenagers, make your voice heard, you can make a difference and your ideas are important as you are the future custodians for our wildlife.’
n For more information contact Dawn by emailing dawn@manxwt.org.uk or call 324306.