New Forest National Park Authority receives £74,800 from Defra to connect socially disadvantaged youngsters with nature

A PROJECT which connects socially disadvantaged youngsters with nature has received a grant of almost £75,000.

The national park authority is working with the Countryside Education Trust (CET) based in Beaulieu to provide funded visits for over 600 eligible young people as part of the Generation Green scheme, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The visits encourage 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’s education and youth and ranger teams.

Poorer communities and people from ethnic minorities in the UK have the worst access to green spaces, research has shown, with 18% of children living in the most deprived areas never spending time in any kind of natural space.

The £4.5m project will help more than 25,000 young people living in England’s most socially disadvantaged areas to connect with nature and rural life.

New Forest National Park Authority chair, David Bence, said: “With more than 80% of the UK population being urban, Generation Green 2 provides opportunities to connect young people to nature, many for the first time.

“The importance of this initiative to cultivate a sense of care for the natural environment, not only within our national park but across the mosaic of protected landscapes and rural and urban communities should not be underestimated.”

Chief executive at the Countryside Education Trust, Jane Cooper, added: “This is a brilliant opportunity for children to experience our farm and woods who wouldn't otherwise be able to visit.

“We are really grateful for the funding as we are passionate about connecting people with the countryside.”

The funding follows on from a £65,000 grant as part of the first round of the scheme, which supported a wild spaces youth project and apprentice rangers from 2021 to 2022.

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 a youth hostel in Burley.

For more information or to check eligibility, visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/communities/young-people/schools-and-groups/funded-visits/