It is January 2023; the morning mist is trying to lift but a chill remains in the air. Newly recruited Youth Rangers appear in the distance, armed with bow saws, loppers, and their all-important snacks. The Youth Rangers of the Fens is launched!  

During this first session, our small team tackled encroaching scrub at Dogsthorpe Star Pit in Peterborough. They were carefully watched from all sides – from the red kite soaring overhead, the robin hopping through the hawthorn and the wren calling from the sidelines… we think they approved of their efforts. Since then, the Youth Rangers have returned each winter to join Reserve Officers and the Volunteer Warden to continue this important task. 

Youth Rangers have also supported other important winter tasks. From coppicing at Thorpe Wood, to planting willow at New Decoy and digging new water channels at the Great Fen paludiculture test beds. 

They're not just being helpful, they're learning life-long skills from conservation professionals. Youth Rangers discover first-hand how different habitats support different wildlife, how their actions can have positive impacts. From tool use to tree ID, mammal tracking to invertebrate hunts, these young people are leaping ahead in their experience and knowledge of local environments. Gaining new skills, developing confidence, learning about methods of conservation management, and making new friends – all in a 3-hour session!  

As winter gives way to spring, the group turn their attention away from habitat management towards monitoring the wildlife visiting our reserves. In May 2025, Youth Rangers joined Upwood Meadows' Reserve Warden, Michael Barnes, for the all-important annual orchid count. This was a new opportunity for all the Youth Rangers and for many this was also the first time they had ever seen an orchid. At this session, they counted 5470 green winged orchids and discovered they are not actually green!  

Youth Rangers have also supported our project partners, Natural England, with surveying activities at Woodwalton Fen. In 2024, the group surveyed for water voles by setting up floating stations (wooden discs) along some of the waterways within the reserve. A few days later the discs were checked for any signs of water vole activity with lots recorded! This included droppings and vegetation piles with their characteristic 45-degree angle. A fantastic result for the Great Fen and a unique experience for the Youth Rangers.  

The group have also spent time discovering the pollinators living in our patch. At Woodwalton Fen, they have completed butterfly transects by following a set route and recording the butterflies they see. Over at New Decoy, Youth Rangers carried out Flower-Insect Timed Counts (FIT Counts) which provided an opportunity for close observation for counting visiting pollinators. 

A HUGE Thank You to all the Youth Rangers who have joined the sessions so far! You have given over 300 volunteer hours and supported our vital conservation at the Wildlife Trust BCN. 

Do you know some aged 11-17 years old who might like to join our group?  

Sessions are once per month at the Great Fen or at a reserve in Peterborough (Saturdays in term time / Wednesdays in the holidays) from 10am to 1pm. Biscuits provided!  

A great way to make new friends whilst spending time outdoors, gain new skills and develop your knowledge of local wildlife. Flexible volunteering and suitable for Duke of Edinburgh students. 

Get in touch for more information – laura.allen@wildlifebcn.org