Connections for the future

An extensive body of research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile. Nature connection also leads to more willingness to take action to help our wildlife and the environment. In the context of collapsing biodiversity and the climate crisis, closer relationships with nature are more vital than ever before.

Generation Green 2 aims to help more young people forge lifelong connections to nature by taking them on multi-day residentials, farm visits, day trips and nights under the stars, all based in National Parks, National Landscapes and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

These experiences will help young people connect with nature, cultivate a sense of care for the countryside, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time in the outdoors, and most importantly these experiences will be fun.

This ambitious project is being delivered by the Access Unlimited (AU) Partnership, a unique coalition of not-for-profit youth organisations, school residential outdoor providers, and organisations managing protected landscapes.

The AU coalition includes the YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Field Studies Council, Girlguiding, Scouts, National Parks England, and the National Landscapes Association. Nine National Park Authorities and eight National Landscapes are involved in course delivery.

“The young people in our area were impacted massively by COVID and the cost of living crisis, not only financially but socially and culturally too, and the school is generally feeling the impact of that with the level of deprivation rising in our city. Our trip to YHA Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park could not have happened without the support from Generation Green 2. It was amazing to see the interaction between different year groups and students that wouldn’t normally talk to each other at school. On this trip they have been smiling, relaxed and willing to chat to each other.

I was emotional seeing them together at Janet’s Foss waterfall and hearing the sense of achievement that they are coming away with. It is hard to put into words the impact that this trip will have on them.”

Amy Armstrong, teacher at St John Bosco College, Liverpool

High demand

Funding for Generation Green 2 has been provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of its ongoing support of access to nature. It supports key recommendations in the 2019 Landscapes Review by Julian Glover, addressing the need for a wider range of first-time visitors to engage with protected landscapes in order to help make them fit for the future.

Participants in the project will be young people from geographic locations in England falling into the Index of Multiple Deprivation scale (1-3), and through schools that exceed a threshold of 30% of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

Delivery of Generation Green 2 began in spring this year and has so far enabled almost 6,000 young people to take part in experiences across England. Demand for courses from participating schools and groups has been extremely high and there is currently little remaining availability.

Further information about Generation Green 2.

Building on success

This project is the second major initiative delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition.

It will build on the work of the first Generation Green project, a £2.5 million programme which supported another key recommendation of the Glover review by - among other things - widening participation in outdoor-related jobs and volunteering, creating seven apprenticeships, 10 new jobs, a paid internship, 30 YHA Kickstart placements, and 659 skilled volunteer roles.

An independent evaluation carried out by the University of Derby showed that the facilitated day and residential trips which were also a part of the first Generation Green project led to an immediate significant impact in young people’s connection with nature and sense of inclusion in nature. The University of Derby are conducting similar research into the impact of Generation Green 2.

“Since 1930 YHA has been committed to helping young people connect with nature and the outdoors, especially those with least access. Unique and innovative programmes like Generation Green 2 give us the unique opportunity to work alongside major not-for-profit outdoor education partners to deliver even more life-enhancing experiences across our youth hostel network in England. This project brings the vision of a night under the stars for every child one step closer.”

James Blake, Chief Executive YHA (England & Wales), and Chair of the Access Unlimited coalition

“The UK’s National Landscapes teams are thrilled and proud to be part of this project. This generous investment from UK Government will enable us to take a significant step forward in our mission to bring amazing experiences in National Landscapes to even more young people. Two thirds of the population of England lives within half an hour’s journey time of their nearest National Landscape, being able to connect and enjoy these treasured places on their own terms will give them a genuine stake in their future. Working with our partners in the Access Unlimited coalition, we will ensure that more of our young people have the chance to connect with the nature, culture and wonder of their nation.”

John Watkins, CEO, National Landscapes