Written by Hop Spots Project Manager, Owain Masters

Hop Spots workshops have been taking place across November, bringing together partners and participants to explore how we can better connect young people with nature.

 

Hop Spots is a project to involve young people in the conservation of amphibians and reptiles and to provide the opportunities to create the next generation of stewards for nature. The project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is in its 'Development Phase', meaning the Hop Spots team in ARC is working with partners and participant groups across the sector to collaboratively develop the project plans ready for full delivery in early 2027. As part of the process 3 delivery regions have been chosen, because they are important for amphibian and reptile species and because local communities impact these species, both in positive and negative ways. These regions are Dorset and the surrounds, Merseyside and East Anglia. In each area we have consulted land managers, eNGOs, councils, educators and young people to shape the plans - the culmination of this process being regional workshops, to have final say in order to make the project as regionally relevant as possible.

 

The workshops took place across three consecutive weeks. The activities were designed to provide an update for the partners, finalise the plans we’ve drawn up through the community consultation to date and to add in region-specific messages.

 

The Dorset area Hop Spots planning workshop took place first in ARC’s offices in Bournemouth, the Merseyside area workshop was second with lead partners Green Sefton hosting us at the Ainsdale Discovery Centre and we finished the month with the East Anglia area workshop, hosted by lead partners ZSEA at Banham Zoo.

  

Each workshop brought together a mix of delivery partners and potential participants once more - including Natural England, the Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust, FWAG, local councils - alongside teachers, local university lecturers, community leaders and young people themselves. This mix includes landowners, species experts, local community network keepers, environmental educators and more. We are so thankful for all the input we have received - this diversity of voices has been key to shaping Hop Spots into a project that reflects both national priorities and local needs.

 

 

 What's next?

Across all three workshops, the energy and commitment from partners and participants has been inspiring, and, as planned, the outcomes have helped the Hop Spots project team to start writing up the final project plans. Over the coming months, we’ll be amalgamating all our research and community consultation, and writing a project which doesn’t just teach about amphibians and reptiles – it opens doors to nature, careers, and community.

 

Hop Spots is made possible thanks to National Lottery Players via The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which continues to champion heritage and environmental projects across the UK