Supporting the voice of young people in conservation| A Q&A with Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK
It is often said that we don’t inherit the world from our parents, we borrow it from our grandchildren. And yet, in the face of the nature and climate crises, the voices of young people for wildlife conservation have never been more critical. Young people across the globe are speaking up, taking action, and spearheading initiatives to protect our planet.
In this interview, we dive into a conversation with Jack Abrey, the Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK, to explore the impact young people can have in nature conservation efforts worldwide and how organisations like World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are working to support them on this mission.
Why did you decide to work in Conservation?
“My background has been working with charities to help young people develop the skills for life that they’re going to need in an ever-changing world. Additionally, my aim has been to support them to apply these skills in the way they want, primarily focusing on how they can take action to make the world a better place, for both people and the planet.
“I’d always been interested in conservation and supporting young people, something which stemmed from my involvement in the Scouts, as a young person. I have so many fond memories of working together with my fellow Scouts to take action and use our voices for change, from planting trees, to engaging with MPs.
“I was fortunate too that my degree in Human and Physical Geography at the University of Reading allowed me to choose a wide range of modules, tailoring my studies to my interests, including the charity and voluntary sector. I wrote my dissertation on the differences in motivations across geographic regions regarding volunteering, exploring what motivates people to volunteer and the challenges facing the sector.
“Right after graduating in 2018, I dived straight into charity roles. I had the immense honour to return to the Scouts in 2019, this time as a member of staff, as I took up the role of Member Support Officer and then Programme Delivery Executive. As a part of this role, I looked after Community Impact, where I worked to support nearly half a million young people develop skills for life and play an active role in their local, national, and international communities.
“A significant turning point for me was in 2021, when I led an international campaign called Promise the Planet with the Scouts. This global campaign empowered young people worldwide to make a change and use their voices to combat the climate and nature crises. As a result of that campaign, we collectively achieved over 100 million hours of action globally on environmental issues leading up to COP26“.
Jack being interviewed at COP26.
“My passion for conservation is twofold. Firstly, due to the climate and nature crises being the biggest issues facing our planet today, with many other problems linked to, or exacerbated by it. Secondly, because young people will inherit the world in whatever state it’s in. It’s crucial for young people to have their voices heard and play a role in conservation, but not make them feel responsible for solving environmental issues. It’s not healthy, effective, or fair, to place that burden on any young person.
“Instead, we should focus on supporting young people to develop skills, take action where they can, and use their voices to call for the changes they want from businesses, decision-makers, and other organisations.”
Could you also tell us a bit more about your work as Head of Youth Engagement?
“My role at WWF involves working with and for young people. The big thing for me is that we’re not just doing things on behalf of young people; we’re doing things directly with them. For each of our projects, we follow Hart’s (2008) Participation Ladder, which we’re committed to adhering to.
Roger Hart’s Ladder of Participation. Source: Youthpower.org.
“Whether it’s an adult-initiated project where we share all decisions with young people, or a youth-led project where we’re in a supportive and supervisory role, we make sure to stick to this model and be honest (with young people and ourselves) as to where we are on it.
“Getting to work with so many amazing young people and seeing them develop is a real privilege. Over days, weeks, months, and years, I get to see them grow as individuals, developing their skills and confidence.
“There aren’t many roles where you can be designing a new programme or product one day, presenting to a board the next, and spending your weekend on a residential with young people from all over the UK.
“The environmental and climate crises are time-sensitive issues, requiring immediate action. This means we have to act quickly and be very strategic and purposeful about how we spend our time and resources.
“At WWF we have a whole host of resources we have co-developed with young people, from our youth-led newsletter, a new product for 13-17’s in development to activities to do at home, school and with friends. In October, we’ll be releasing the Living Planet Report Youth Edition. This report has been co-written by young people from across the world and presents the state of our planet, the solutions to problems we face and ways for young people to take action and use their voice to help”.
Do you have advice for young people who want to get involved in the conservation space?
“For me, if you’re in a position to undertake a volunteer role, then absolutely have a look into this, there’s so much on offer. Whether it’s direct, practical conservation, getting involved with a conservation organisation in a different way, or engaging with a different part of that organisation, the opportunities are vast. As environmental organisations, we recognise the need to offer more paid internship opportunities and are actively exploring this.
“If you’re unable to volunteer or secure a paid internship, you can invest in yourself in terms of your time, through learning and development.
“In a tech-driven, AI-influenced world, human skills like leadership and resilience are even more important. There are plenty of leadership and management courses available online. Applying for open-access courses can help you develop skills that will make you stand out from the crowd.
“Conservation is an evolving field with constantly changing practices and theories. Attend events, read different articles, and expose yourself to diverse perspectives. Reading widely around the subject, in any field, allows you to learn from different viewpoints and apply your understanding as you build your passions and opinions”.
A group of scouts.
“Professionally, it can be easy to overlook the great things you’ve accomplished. Keep a record of your successes, big and small, in an Excel document or any format that works for you. Note the skills you’ve developed from each experience, whether it’s a big project or a small day-to-day task. Reflect on what you learned, how it helped you, and how you can improve next time. This practice can help you see how far you’ve come and recognise your progress.
“Keeping track of your accomplishments is also useful when applying for volunteer or paid positions. When preparing for an interview, having a list of your experiences can jog your memory and boost your confidence. It allows you to showcase your skills and experiences effectively, providing solid case studies and examples to discuss during interviews or similar opportunities”.
What if somebody isn’t sure about what conservation job they’d like to go into?
“I think it’s really good advice to acknowledge that it’s completely okay not to know exactly where you want to go in terms of your career. I didn’t know where I wanted to be and I think that can actually be a good thing as it keeps your mind open to new options. I know that I enjoy working with young people, helping them develop skills, and providing amazing opportunities. My passion for this led me to some incredible experiences through the Scouts, and I discovered this opportunity at WWF as a result of following that passion.
“So, to anyone who might be reading this and thinking, “I don’t know what I want to do yet,” I’d say that’s totally fine. Even people in practical conservation or conservation careers, including my own role, often don’t have a clear idea of their next step. It’s okay. Following your passions, pursuing what excites you, constantly developing your skills, and saying yes to various opportunities is a great approach.
“Developing a breadth of experiences is crucial. Having a wide range of skills and experiences can be incredibly beneficial, whether in a direct conservation role or in a different field, with plans to transition into conservation later. This broad skill set helps you think differently and approach challenges from various perspectives.
“As we face numerous challenges, thinking differently and collaborating with young people, indigenous peoples, and local communities in the UK and across the globe will be essential. Having transferable skills and diverse experiences will be incredibly important in addressing these challenges effectively”.
Want to learn more?
Interested in a career in conservation youth education? Check out our Conservation Educator role profile explaining how to get involved and the requirements you would need for this type of role. And for part two, check out this Q&A with two WWF-UK Youth Ambassadors: Aoife & Will.
Author Profile | Maya de Paz
Maya de Paz is a passionate creative with a drive for conserving our planet. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and has a particular interest in the human connection with nature. Currently, she is working for Ocean Census as their Communications Officer and is thoroughly enjoying her time there. Connect with Maya on LinkedIn or check out her portfolio.