GREEN-FINGERED YOUNGSTERS will star in the BBC’s hit programme Countryfile to share their conservation success at a Greenfield Reservoir with the nation.
Dove Stone Youth Rangers teamed up with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and United Utilities 14 months ago to help protect the reservoir’s wildlife and environment.
And after their project was spotted by the BBC and picked to feature in a Peak District special, the teenagers spent a day filming at the location with presenter Ellie Harrison.
Greg Cookson, from Oldham Youth Services and leading the project, said: I got a call from the BBC saying they wanted to film us and I couldn’t believe it.
“We were shortlisted along with a couple of other projects but we were the only youth project. I nearly dropped through the floor when I got the call to say we had been picked.
“The Rangers have worked so hard researching and planning what they want to do and putting it into action and they are so dedicated.”
The team of around ten teenagers meet each week to plan and research their projects and even helped design their own uniforms to wear at the reservoir.
And they are getting hands on with pond digging, tree felling and watching wildlife using the RSPB’s two camera traps.
Mariam Waseem, 18, explained the project has given her valuable experience as she follows her dream of working in conservation.
“I knew I wanted to go into conservation and now I know I want to focus on environmental conservation,” she said.
“The hands-on experience of this project has been great to talk about at university interviews. I consider myself really lucky to have an opportunity like this.”
Mariam, a member of the Oldham Youth Council and also the UK Youth Parliament, added: “Out of all the things I have done this is thing I have enjoyed the most.
“We’re really lucky to have Greg and Geoff who are fantastic in helping us with the project. It’s great to help the environment and something I love to do.”
Another Dove Stone Youth Ranger, T-Jay Turner, added: “We decide ourselves on the projects and wanted to start with ponds to help the frog population as well as provide water for other wildlife.
“It’s really exciting to get to show what we have achieved on television.”
Their plans for future projects include dam building, creating bat and bird boxes then monitoring the wildlife, and planting trees and wildflower gardens.
The on-going work will help the Youth Rangers gain qualifications, contributing towards Duke of Edinburgh awards, the Peak District Award and The John Muir Award.
Geoff De Boer, education officer for RSPB at Dove Stone, has been working on the conservation projects there for three years with members of the public.
He said: “Projects like this are a good way to get people excited about the environment.
“The camera traps are very popular as people can see the wildlife we have for themselves.”
The Dove Stone Youth Rangers will feature in Countryfile on BBC 1 on Sunday, December 1 in a programme exploring the Peak District.
To join the Dove Stone Youth Rangers or Oldham Youth Council, email Greg Cookson at greg.cookson@oldham.gov.ukor call: 0161 770 3115. Oldham Youth Council offers activities and events for people aged 11-21 as well as getting them involved in the borough’s decision-making process.
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