Teenagers interested in conservation and improving the natural environment are being offered the chance to join a newly launched youth group in Purbeck, Dorset.
Set up by the National Trust in November 2025, the group is open to 12 to 17 year olds from Purbeck, and already students from The Swanage School, The Purbeck School, and Lytchett Minister School have signed up.
Hands on conservation work at Studland
Potential career path
Young people will get practical experience in environmental stewardship, enjoy open access to National Trust sites in Purbeck, and the opportunity to explore conservation as a potential career path.
The aim is to offer regular, fun, and purposeful outdoor activities out-of-school time, and it’s free to join.
The National Trust team has been running its Environmental Leaders programme at The Purbeck School for a while, and this is seen as a way to allow the teenagers to continue the activities after the end of the course.
The bracken around the World War Two dragon’s teeth needed to be cut back
Learning about nature and history outdoors
Conservation of historic site
So far, the youth group has tackled a number of hands-on tasks at Studland including removing undergrowth around the World War Two dragon’s teeth anti-tank defences at Middle Beach, pulling up pine saplings on the heathland, and gorse cutting and burning near the sand dunes.
Under the supervision of the National Trust outdoor facilities manager Alex King, the group cleared an impressive amount of bramble and bracken from around the historic dragon’s teeth through determination and teamwork.
This effort not only restored a heritage site, but also improved the habitat for the six native species of reptiles, including the rare sand lizard.
Pine pulling, lopping and sawing!
“Truly inspiring”
National Trust senior volunteering and community officer, Jill Bailey said:
“Seeing young people involved in this conservation task is truly inspiring. Not only are they taking care of our heritage but also providing an important habitat for wildlife.
“We have young people from three local schools coming together and sharing ideas on how to restore nature in this amazing landscape.”
National Trust area ranger Aemelia Roe (in red), who lives in Swanage, is one of the members of staff helping out with the new youth group
Trained National Trust staff
Any young person in Year 8 to 13 at a Purbeck school or home educated locally, is eligible to join the youth group.
The next activity is on Sunday 15th February 2026 and like all the events will be under the guidance of trained National Trust staff.
Further information
- More about getting involved is available by emailing purbeck@nationaltrust.org.uk
