Youth in Parks Day with the New Forest Youth Board

European Youth in Parks Day is a celebration of the passion, energy and ideas young people bring to Protected Areas across Europe. It is open to all.

Each year on the 15 September, we invite Protected Areas and young people to organise local events and activities to celebrate European Youth in Parks Day. The EUROPARC Youth Council chose the theme of Nature Restoration, as they would like to collect photos and videos of young people to showcase at the EUROPARC Conference in Lithuania in October!

Our event on 14 September, following the nature restoration theme, will involve a day of practical and mindful activities, ranging from bramble cutting and bracken pulling, to insect surveys and IDing bird calls. The event will be 10am to 2pm, but please feel free to join us for any amount of time.

The plan for the day so far:

10am to Midday: Welcome and intro's, practical activities - bracken pulling, bramble cutting and pond test pit digging with the Freshwater Habitats Trust (FHT).

12pm: FREE lunch (break for around 45 mins)

12:45pm to 2pm: More mindful and relaxing activities such as insect surveys, IDing bird calls, removing canes from recently planted hedge lines, and checking the tree infographics and removing those in the wrong place.

This event is open to anyone ages between 18 and 35, who has an interest in conservation and a strong connection to the New Forest.

We are offering a FREE lunch for attendees! Please email me at hayley.quarrington@newforestnpa.gov.uk with any questions and dietary requirements after booking. We will also have Flourish and Nature with us for use of their Welfare Van so we have access to a toilet on site.

Our event will be held at the Jack Wright's field in Ringwood, owned by Ringwood Actions for Climate Emergency - RACE Against Time (Ringwood RACE) which is registered charity which brings people together with the aim of taking actions towards the rising threat of climate change and the loses to biodiversity and the environment.

RACE holds various opportunities and events under different projects to promote sustainable action locally. These include tree planting, hedge laying, clothes swaps, eco fairs and a community fridge, among much more!

Meeting point will be at the end of Forestlake Avenue in Ringwood (follow the road down to where there is a deadend), by the footpath that will lead us to Jack Wright's field. You can park along the road for free, car sharing is encouraged. Please meet at this point at least 5 minutes before the session starts. The field is only accessibe by the footpath which crosses a narrow bridge. I am happy to collect people from train stations/bus stops etc if needed.

Road W3W - ///community.stage.loads

Field enterance W3W - ///suitcase.simulations.fact

Please dress appropriately for the weather and tasks of the day. Long sleeve tops and trousers are advised to avoid ticks. Sturdy boots are suitable for the uneven ground and narrow crossing bridge from the footpath to the field. A risk assessment is available to view on request.