Youth in Nature Summit

Emma Dakin – Youth Engagement Officer at Butterfly Conservation

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From the humble woodlouse to the magnificent quetzals of Costa Rica, I have always had a passion for nature. My other passion is people! Specifically young people.

Through my previous work as a secondary school science teacher, and across various nature charities in their education teams I have seen first-hand the incredible impact young people can have within the conservation sector. I have also heard many frustrated voices about the lack of relevant opportunities and representation.

My role with Butterfly Conservation is to marry my two passions and connect young people with nature and connect nature with young people. I can’t think of a better pairing!

Richard Benwell – CEO at Wildlife & Countryside Link

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Richard Benwell is chief executive of Wildlife & Countryside Link, a coalition of 81 nature charities. He is also Chair of Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership and a board member of the Broadway Initiative and UK Youth for Nature.

Previously, he was Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State at DEFRA, and has worked for RSPB, WWT, the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee, as well as being a board member for Westmill Solar Cooperative.

Ramandeep Nijjar – Key organiser for UK Youth 4 Nature

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Ramandeep is a Zoology student in her second year at the University of Reading. She is co-president of the University’s Hedgehog Society which she co-founded in March 2023. She is also diversity officer for the Hiking Society. She is passionate about representing student views so she is a senior representative for her school, senator, and student councillor.

Outside of her university roles, Ramandeep wants to continue to channel her energy into making a positive difference for nature and wildlife, which she is able to do by being a part of the incredible BTO Youth and UK Youth 4 Nature teams.

Jack Abrey – Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK

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Jack is currently the Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK, working to supercharge the organisation’s work with and for young people. Before this, he was a Programme Delivery Executive at the Scouts, where he led the global environmental campaign ‘Promise to the Planet’ which resulted in over 100 million hours of environmental social action taking place worldwide.

Throughout his career he has supported young people to take action and use their voice, to help build a better world, for everyone and everything in it.

Outside of work, Jack is a radio presenter on Tring Radio, an audiobook narrator for blind and visually impaired young people and loves a good cup of tea!

Cel Spellman – Actor, broadcaster and WWF Ambassador

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Cel is an experienced actor, broadcaster & radio DJ and from Manchester. His most recent acting credits include starring in Netflix’s White Lines (which was no. 1 in 30 countries), ITV’s Cold Feet and BBC One’s World on Fire & Better.

His broadcasting credits began with regular hosting slots with CBBC on numerous shows, including BAFTA Winning Friday Download, and since CBBC he has been involved in BBC Three’s Young Doctors, Watchdog, The Voice and more.

Cel has also been a BBC Radio 1 DJ for over 5 years where he hosted the iconic Life Hacks on a Sunday afternoon. On top of this, Cel is currently the official host for the Man City fan show, We’re Not Really Here Yet, which goes out live on game days across Man City’s social channels that have millions of followers. 

Cel is a passionate advocate for the environment, working closely on numerous projects with WWF, including hosting the Call of the Wild podcast that launched in Feb 2021 with the first guest being none other than David Attenborough. Cel also worked closely with UNICEF, as a High Profile Ambassador, Young Peoples Trust for the Environment, as an ambassador, MISP, Great Ormond Street and is an Ambassador for The Wildlife Trust.

Juliet Vickery – Chief Executive of BTO

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Following a PhD at Oxford, and research posts at the University of East Anglia and Scottish Natural Heritage, Juliet took up a lectureship post at the University of Edinburgh before moving to the NGO sector.

She has led research teams in two conservation NGOS, the British Trust for Ornithology and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and is now CEO of the British Trust for Ornithology. She holds an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge and an Honorary Professorship at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of East Anglia.

Juliet is a strong advocate of evidence in driving effective conservation and the need for the conservation community to genuinely foster a sense of belonging for everyone. 

Şeniz Mustafa – Key Organiser, UK Youth for Nature

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Şeniz is an Ecology and Conservation Masters student who focuses her research on the foraging diet and behaviour of the white storks at Knepp Estate, with support from the Natural History Museum to identify any present beetle specimens.

As the location of her research suggests she is also passionate about rewilding, and as any ecologist is forbidden to have just one interest! She has a soft spot for insects and firmly believes moths and beetles are just as equally fascinating as their butterfly and bee counterparts!

Outside of university Şeniz volunteers with UK Youth For Nature on their access to nature campaigns, and hosts online interviews on their behalf to improve access to nature in her local area, and therefore writes a newsletter for environmental volunteering and events for Brighton and Hove.