Woodland Trust youth council

With the future of the planet at stake, we believe young people should have a say in the matters that affect them most.

This is where the Woodland Trust youth council comes in.

Our passionate team of volunteers aged 16-25 span the length and breadth of the UK and bring a vibrant and unapologetic voice to the Trust. Their unique skills, expertise and energy have already made a huge impact.

Since the first youth council began in 2023, the team has met regularly with colleagues from across the Woodland Trust, ensuring that young people have a seat at the table by inputting into policies, attending important events and influencing campaigns. 

Meet the youth council

Meet the inspiring individuals helping to fight for the future of woods and trees.

Grace Twum (she/her)

North representative

Based in Yorkshire, I work as the northern coordinator at Just Love, a Christian charity empowering students to pursue social justice. I hold a BA in human geography and environment from the University of York and will begin my master's in environmental assessment and management this year.

I have a deep passion for understanding the interconnections between race, faith, activism and environmental theology. My goal is to use my knowledge and creative skills to make a positive social and environmental impact.

Alexander Wood (he/him)

Central representative

Living in rural Staffordshire, I was fortunate that the pandemic was an opportunity to appreciate the true value of nature. I want to combine my master's in Law with environmental protection and policy, and am thrilled to be able to share the voices of young people in Central England.

I also work for the University of Derby, chair the Generation Nature youth collective and am involved with charities in Staffordshire. I run a youth club, support the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and act as a trustee of a local youth charity.

Reuben Woods (he/him)

Central representative

I am a photography graduate based in Nottingham. Currently, I work as a mental health support worker. I love spending time outside and am interested in how we can support mental health and wellbeing through connecting with nature. In my artistic practice, I explore using natural materials that are not harmful to people or our planet.

Nell Miles (she/her)

South East representative

Nell is a researcher at the University of Oxford where she researches biodiversity markets. She’s interested in policy and nature recovery, as well as equality and diversity issues. In her spare time, she loves cycling and printmaking!

Tammie Esslemont (she/her)

Wales representative

Shwmae! Tammie Esslemont ydw i. Hello! I'm Tammie Esslemont.

I'm very excited to represent Wales. I have lots of energy and many different interests. These include creating art (Instagram: @demi_doodleone), indoor climbing, pet sitting, being mindful in nature, playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons and learning Welsh. I’m also passionate about climate activism (I volunteer for the Wildlife Trusts, Climate Cymru and Greenpeace) and mental health (I also volunteer for Newport Mind, Wolfson Centre and Platfform). I am also an Igniting Innovation conservation challenge winner for my project Nature Over Natter!

Emma Mitchell (she/her)

Scotland representative

My name is Emma and I’ll be studying landscape architecture at Edinburgh University. I hope to take everything I’m learning from the Woodland Trust into practice. I am most interested in integrating nature back into cities and adore the practice of permaculture.

I’m passionate about art and constantly use nature as an inspiration for my many projects. Volunteering with the Woodland Trust is an amazing opportunity and has already taught me so much about the world we live in. I am also a moth fanatic!

Fianaid Neill (she/her)

Northern Ireland representative

I am 17 years old and am very excited to be representing Northern Ireland as part of the Woodland Trust Youth Council. I am passionate about nature, as well as music, languages, and history. I am also very dedicated to protecting and promoting the beautiful woodland and wildlife of Ireland and Britain, and my role as a part of the youth council has enabled me to do this even more.

Lottie Woods (she/her)

South West representative

I am a climate scientist with a degree in maths and physics. I have previously coordinated my local Friends of the Earth group and am excited to now be working with the Woodland Trust.

I am passionate about nature (especially in the South West) and am currently learning more about rewilding and improving my bird identification skills!

Cory Maccormack-Montequin (he/him)

Scotland representative

Hi, I'm Cory. I'm from Edinburgh and have just completed my ecology and environmental science degree. I am now working as a community engagement officer. I'm really passionate about community-led action for conservation and community woodlands. I'm really excited to be involved in the Woodland Trust youth council! My favourite tree is a hawthorn.

Winnet Musikavanhu (she/her)

Wales representative

Hi there! I’m an undergraduate wildlife biology student at the University of South Wales. I am very passionate about conservation genetics and the environment. I want to share that passion in a way that not only educates but inspires people to stand up for wildlife conservation. I do this through my art (as I am a landscape acrylic painter), my faith (as I am a Christian who aims to lovingly talk about the beauty of God’s creation) and lastly, through science communication.

On the days I’m not up a mountain somewhere, I am a media coordinator for a Christian Union group and I enjoy park runs and tennis.

Mia Burroughs (she/her)

South West representative

Hello, lovely to meet you! I’m an enthusiastic representative based in rural Dorset. You might find me volunteering at local nature reserves, marvelling over interesting mushrooms or playing on tire swings in the woods. I love to combine my passion for the outdoors with my creative skills, and I believe that art is an amazingly powerful tool to connect people to our planet and simultaneously educate them on the importance of our environment.

While I’m not generally a confident speaker, I believe that quieter voices are just as important to represent. I’m hoping to ensure that others who are generally seen as ‘soft-spoken’ or ‘reserved’ feel that their perspective and opinions are valued equally.

Charlie Knowles (he/him)

North representative

As a trees and woodland community engagement officer for a local authority in Merseyside, I am dedicated to promoting the many benefits of trees and woodlands. My passion for ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, vibrant green spaces led me to join the Woodland Trust’s youth council. In my role, I am particularly interested in how young voices can shape policy and influence the way local authorities manage public woods and trees.

A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, I also serve on the committee of the club’s LGBT+ supporters group. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my springer spaniel, Harris, exploring local green spaces.

Mark Merrigan (he/him)

North Ireland representative

Hello, my name is Mark and I am one of two Northern Irish representatives on the youth council. I am hoping to study geography next year at university. I'm part of the youth council as I believe in the importance of integrating nature into daily life and believe natural beauty should be uplifted and allowed to thrive. The work the youth council does is invaluable, bringing together people from all walks of life to share our passion about a topic close to our hearts.

Eva Smith (she/her)

Central representative

I am a sixth form student studying A-Levels in geography, French, maths and further maths. I joined the Woodland Trust youth council because I believe it is important that young people have a voice in environmental discussions and I am excited to be able to use my enthusiasm to help the youth council accomplish their goals. Outside of nature, my passions are music, maths and learning new languages.

Bonita Cullis (they/them)

South East representative 

Currently based in Brighton, I’m pursuing a counselling qualification alongside training to become a qualified forest school practitioner. My goal is to weave these disciplines together to facilitate spaces where people can explore both the natural world and their own wellbeing through nature connection.

I recently had the rewarding experience to serve as a project facilitator for the ‘Restore Nature Now’ march, bringing awareness and action to environmental policy, as part of my role as a policy assistant at the Woodland Trust. I previously studied environmental science, have a background in outdoor and science education and have taught abroad on a voluntary basis.

Yasmin Trivedi Dave (she/her)

South East representative

Driven by both my personal lived experience and work with conservation organisations such as the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), I am passionate about embedding socio-ecological considerations within traditional conservation narratives and approaches. I particularly focus on centring lasting racial equity, justice, and community-led practices. I am super passionate about youth engagement and building equitable, inclusive, and justice-led approaches, which ensure that people, especially those from marginalised communities, are at the heart of biodiversity conservation.

I am currently at the University of Oxford reading for an MSc in biodiversity, conservation and management, so I can pursue my interests further!