Wild Stewards
The Wild Stewards programme places young people into paid, key decision-making roles in active nature recovery projects for one year. Wild Stewards receive seminar and training opportunities as well as operational support, informal mentorship, and regular in-person meet ups. Below is our second legendary cohort of Wild Stewards!
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Lyze Bell
I am often found in and around water, exploring ponds, rivers and the ocean, or hunting for ticks in grassland. After studying Zoology in Cornwall, I travelled all the way to the other end of the country and fell in love with Northumberland's rolling hills and forests. I will work as a Wild Steward at Hepple Wilds to learn how to help nature thrive in a wonderful part of the country and inspire others to do the same!
Mia Bird
I am a Wild Steward at Pounce Hall. I am currently working in the charity sector as a helpline worker. I have always had a huge love for exploring the outdoors, but was inspired to think more seriously about the importance of intimacy with nature during my Anthropology degree, where I studied how humans have related to nature across different cultures and histories, and how that shapes our treatment of it. I am very excited to learn more about how to restore natural processes that have been disrupted, to get to witness how nature might flourish again in response, and to share in this wonder with others, building hope and connection through community.
Bonnie Chapman
I graduated in 2023 in Business Management and was undecided about my future after university. I discovered rewilding through Climate Action North and their ‘BookWilding’ events with my local bookshop. I love animals, we have a range of them on our family farm and this got me interested in how livestock can help aid conservation with their natural behaviours.
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I’m excited to work as a Wild Steward at Castle Howard to be able to learn more about wildlife conservation and nature restoration with other young people and hands-on experience. I can’t wait to get stuck in on a rewilding project myself after seeing many other great ones within the North East.
Aidan Dempsey
A passionate and hardworking young person who does as much as they can for nature through volunteering on physical work days with various nature organisations like Youngwilders, Gwent Wildlife Trust & Tir Natur. I am keen to pursue conservation as my future career as I really love working to manage sites for nature and I love seeing cool wildlife so I am very pleased to get the opportunity to both see cool wildlife and learn new skills and methods for restoring nature through my role as a Wild Steward at The Grange project. I also love hearing people's powerful journeys into conservation as well and this is a great way to network with like-minded individuals.
Cecilia Derrick
Working in the publishing of conservation research at 'Oryx-The International Journal of Conservation', Cecilia reads about the impact of biodiversity loss on a daily basis. With a life-long enthusiasm for Britain's wildlife and habitats, which is often overlooked for more 'exciting' climes, Cecilia wants to do everything she can to help protect our species and native habitats, which are amongst the most depleted in the world. She is very excited to make a start through the Youngwilders stewardship at Pounce Hall!
Sarah Keast-Butler
Heya everyone, my name is Sarah and I am the Wild Steward for the Bangrove Nature Recovery Project. I am currently in my last year studying Geography at University. I love everything outdoors- be that swimming in the sea to going on woodland walks! I am interested in the intersection between both physical and social science, looking at how humans can coexist with nature in sustainable ways. I am especially interested in the importance of volunteering in the environmental sector, regarding the environmental and social benefits of such work. Having volunteered in my local RSPB woodland, I am excited to get started on this Youngwilders project. I can’t wait to get stuck into nature, connect with other young people in the rewilding movement and make a positive change towards improving biodiversity in the current landscape of the UK.
Aisha Kukoyi
I am an engineering apprentice, spending two days a week studying for my degree while working as an engineer the other three. My apprenticeship has taken me from fast paced city life to slow rural living. This change has given me a deeper appreciation for nature as well as a desire to preserve it. As a Wild Steward at Nature Chain, I hope to begin exploring the world of conservation, learn new things and meet new people :).
Rhys Leighton
Rhys is a Wild Steward for the Nature Chain Project. He is an aspiring ecologist and conservationist who is keen to learn all he can about the natural world and our relationship with it. He hopes to share everything he learns with others, in the hopes of betterment for biodiversity and society alike. For his contributions to conservation, he was named RSPB's Young Volunteer of the Year 2024 and New Forest Young Environmental Champion 2025. Rhys hopes to utilise his experience in the conservation sector, along with boundless enthusiasm, to help the gorgeous meadows in Freshford and Limpley Stoke flourish and to show others the beauty of rewildling.
Ferozah Mahmood
I am currently an Engagement Officer at the Surrey Wildlife Trust where I work with young people to connect them with nature. I have previously worked for WWF and have a Masters in Ecology and Conservation. I am interested in making sure nature is accessible to all, supporting communities to break down the barriers they face. I am very excited to be a Wild Steward at Maple Farm to help nature restoration, connect more with nature and do it with some incredibly cool people.
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Izzy Mcleod
Izzy is a science communicator and participatory arts facilitator focusing in queer ecology. They're a big fan of fungi and really excited to get stuck into learning new skills and meeting some of the fungi living on site. You'll often find Izzy wandering in the woods in the rain, or taking a nap on a particularly comfy piece of moss.
Theo Stocks
Theo found his love for nature as a child clambering about in the woods and moors of West Yorkshire. As an avid creative, Theo is particularly interested in connecting art and rewilding, spending his free time making zines, collages, and films. He is keen to learn more about wildlife conservation and rewilding processes, and to gain hands-on experience. Theo is excited to get stuck in and muddy at Castle Howard, connecting to nature and contributing to the early stages of this exciting project!
Tilda Tyssen-Smith
Tilda is a Wild Steward at Maple Farm. Coming from a musical background, she has a strong interest in birdsong and all things sound-related. She enjoys birdwatching (and bird-listening!) on long walks, swimming in the sea, and playing the piano. After a year of conservation volunteering, she is excited to gain hands-on experience in an active nature recovery project and share knowledge with a community of like-minded (young) wilders!
Lekshmi Vijay
Lekshmi is studying for a BSc in Environmental Science (CIEEM accredited) and is passionate about nature-based solutions, entomology, sustainable development, and exploring the complex interrelations between species. She is excited to work as a Wild Steward with Youngwilders at the Hepple Estate, where she can apply her knowledge and enthusiasm to hands-on conservation and rewilding projects that contribute to a richer, more resilient landscape.
Join us!
