Junior Rangers

In August 2025, Shetland Amenity Trust, working with Shetland Islands Council, Historic Environment Scotland, NatureScot, RSPB and Species on the Edge, launched the Junior Rangers programme for young people aged 13-18. Through activities such as wildlife monitoring, peatland restoration and learning about the management of historic sites, the programme provides practical experience of caring for Shetland's natural and cultural heritage while helping participants develop local knowledge, practical skills and a lasting sense of responsibility for protecting the places that make Shetland unique.

The programme was developed to provide more consistent and meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with Shetland's landscapes, habitats and historic places. It also aims to strengthen understanding of the skills, volunteering opportunities and potential careers associated with conservation and heritage management, helping to inspire and equip the next generation of people who will care for these important local assets.

Schools, youth services, partner organisations, young people and their families all helped shape the programme. A steering group was established to bring together expertise and opportunities from across the conservation and heritage sectors, while lessons were also drawn from similar programmes elsewhere. Funding from the Natural History Museum's Fixing Our Broken Planet programme has helped make activities accessible, including support for participant transport.

The programme offers a varied mix of practical conservation work, wildlife recording, heritage skills and site-based learning. Through monthly Junior Ranger sessions and school activity weeks, participants gain hands-on experience while working alongside professionals and learning more about the natural and cultural heritage that makes Shetland unique.

The programme also seeks to address some of the challenges of delivering opportunities across a geographically dispersed island community. By working closely with schools and partner organisations, it creates accessible opportunities for young people to build confidence, knowledge and practical skills over time, with the potential to progress into volunteering, further training or future careers in conservation and heritage.

By connecting young people directly with Shetland's environment and heritage, the Junior Rangers programme is helping to sustain community involvement in caring for local places and ensuring that valuable skills and knowledge are passed on to future generations.

Contribution to the Shetland Partnership

• Participation: Encourages young people to play an active role in caring for and shaping the future of Shetland's natural and cultural heritage, strengthening community involvement and stewardship.
• People: Builds confidence, knowledge, practical skills and wellbeing through outdoor learning, teamwork and new experiences.
• Place: Strengthens understanding of and connection to Shetland's landscapes, wildlife and historic environment, helping protect these important assets for future generations.
• Money: Reduces barriers to participation through funded transport and free activities, while helping develop skills and awareness of future volunteering, training and employment opportunities.