Who we are
UK Youth for Nature (UKY4N) is the UK’s leading youth-led network calling on UK politicians to take urgent action to address the loss of nature and wildlife. We are a network of determined and ambitious volunteers between the ages of 16-30: environmental professionals, conservationists, campaigners, and environmentalists of diverse backgrounds and disciplines from across the UK. Through issue-led online and live campaigns, we target politicians, work with organisations and individuals on-the-ground, and provide a platform for young people to speak up and be heard.
2021
Nature is in catastrophic decline across the UK and is at huge risk due to climate change. However, the diverse solutions that fortifying and safeguarding nature offer in the mitigation of climate change and in building resilience amongst our societies are too often ignored. In 2021, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 and the UN Climate change Conference COP26 in Glasgow will define the future of our natural environment for decades. The vital links between biodiversity and climate change can no longer be exempt from climate action. There has never been a better or more urgent moment to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises together, and at the same time.
The UK will host COP26 this year in Glasgow and has made its Nature Campaign a centrepiece of its presidency. Together with COP15, where participating nations will set 10-year biodiversity targets, this is an incredibly important moment for the UK to demonstrate its ambition and commitment to a more robust, nature-protected, and nature-filled world. The Covid-19 pandemic has powerfully demonstrated the extent to which we can adapt to sudden and rapid change. And as the UK, one of the world’s most nature depleted countries, hosts COP26, this is our moment to reprioritise nature in the public eye and in political processes, now and always.
The vision
To create a series of murals in cities and towns throughout the UK that speak to individuals throughout all four nations. The murals will feature and highlight species and habitats that are directly relevant to that specific area and that are in decline. Driven by the power of the visual arts as an effective means of engaging people in a tangible, creative, and emotive manner, and supported by our communications, community, and political engagement strategies, this creative campaign will:
- Spark imaginations, draw attention to what’s missing, and paint a vision for the future.
- Be a youth and community-led statement for greater consideration of nature at COP26.
- Create long-lasting local and national narratives about the importance of biodiversity.
- Platform these voices across the UK, to politicians, individuals, and the COP26 negotiations.
- Creatively engage diverse audiences, drawing attention and interest no matter political orientation, background, or opinion on nature.
- Be used to power community, media, and political engagement to draw the links between COP15 and COP26.
Cardiff
In partnership with Extinction Rebellion and Green Squirrel, UK Youth for Nature hope to create a wildlife mural in Canton on the main road to highlight locally declining species in the run up to COP26. Our Cardiff Wild Wall will be created by Cardiff-born artist Spike (SPK) Clark whose work has been exhibited across the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia is back to create another thrilling mural to suit everyone's taste and get them thinking. This is not the first time that Spike has addressed nature in his work, having been commissioned by the Museum of London to create The Beasts of London, and more recently by Extinction Rebellion to create the Grangetown Whale.
Funding
UK Youth for Nature is an unfunded, youth-led volunteer movement, your generous donations will contribute towards:
1. Cover the practical costs, which includes materials and travel and subsistence.
2. Fairly compensate the artists who have joined this project to dedicate their time and skills towards prioritising and protecting the UK’s nature and wildlife. This will be at an average rate of £180/day for 5 days of work.
3. Support us with marketing/PR and printing/hosting QR codes to create further engagement with the mural, secure new opportunities, and increase our reach within the communities of each city.