Teenagers gain little from “green” projects in the countryside, such as picking up litter or planting trees, according to a new study by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Louise Gray, The Telegraph 13 Aug 09;
Environmental projects have drawn hundreds of young people every year to help on schemes like building foot paths, cleaning out rivers or counting rare plants.
Many volunteer to take part in the projects as part of “work experience” while children from deprived inner city areas or youth offenders are sent to learn about the countryside for the first time.
However a new study funded by the ESRC found young people gain little from environmental volunteering and are often just coerced into “grunt activities” like digging holes.
The survey of young people by the University of Exeter found many saw conservation work as having no relevance to their future employment, or educating them on green issues.
Some, who had travelled long distances from cities to short-term projects in rural areas, felt they were being punished for being disruptive or naughty at school.
Dr Michael Leyshon, who led the research, called for more co-ordination between youth services and environmental organisations so activities are more relevant to young people while also benefiting the countryside.
He said environmental projects need to teach children relevant rural skills not only to boost chances of employment but to benefit the rural economy.
For example, the National Trust runs a variety of certificated courses on rural skills.
“Managing the countryside for the purposes of environmental sustainability is one of the few sectors of the rural economy that can offer the soft skills, like the ability to work in a team as well as the practical skills that could be useful in many other kinds of jobs,” he said.
“Environmental projects should be part of mainstream education, not somewhere for excluded kids and youth offenders to take a bit of exercise in a green gym.”
