The Youth Rangers project will be piloted in the Amlwch area next month thanks to a grant of £8,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Managed by the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Countryside and AONB Service, the project aims to recruit a group of young people, aged 13 to 15 years,  to become Youth Rangers and take part in a range of outdoor activities which will provide them with new skills and increased understanding of their local environment.

The largest in Wales, Anglesey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) covers most of the 201 kilometre coastline, and its main purpose is to conserve and enhance this natural beauty. Through a series of activities and site visits, the Youth Rangers will learn about the AONB landscape’s unique heritage, participate in conserving and enhancing the area, whilst also having fun and gaining valuable experiences in the outdoors.

The Countryside and AONB Service will be working closely with Amlwch Regeneration Partnership to recruit 24 enthusiastic young people from the area to become Youth Rangers.

AONB Community Warden, Rhys Thomas said, "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund to run the Youth Rangers project. Young people are the future advocates and guardians of the AONB’s special landscape and this is a fantastic way to get them actively involved and interested in their local natural heritage."

Jennifer Stewart, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Wales added, "This is a really exciting project that will give a group of young people a chance to learn more about the importance of their natural heritage.  There is a perception that young people don’t ‘do’ heritage but this project and projects like it really prove that this isn’t the case.  We are always looking for new projects to fund, if any groups are interested in applying, they should contact us to find out more."

Chairman of the Amlwch Regeneration Partnership, Councillor Gareth Winston Roberts OBE, welcomed the launch of the Youth Rangers project.  "This is an excellent opportunity for our young people to learn more about their local environment and heritage in the beautiful surroundings of the AONB. During the project the young people will participate in activities such as dry stone walling, wildlife surveys, archaeology, first aid, bush craft and orienteering, all of which will give them valuable life skills and possibly influence future career aspirations."

With grant support from the HLF the project will run for 2 years, starting this October.