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 Merseyside, I hold a BA in human geography and environment from the University of York and am currently pursuing a master’s in environmental assessment and management. I joined the Woodland Trust youth council in 2023 and am passionate about promoting equitable access to green spaces and understanding how environmental issues affect communities.

My interests lie at the intersection of race, faith, activism and environmental theology, alongside a growing focus on ESG and social value. I hope to use my academic background and advocacy experience to influence more inclusive, sustainable and socially responsible decision-making that benefits both people and nature!

Nell Miles (she/her)

South East representative

I work in conservation in the public sector, having completed an undergraduate and master's degree in biology. I have a history of campaigning for nature in various different ways, including working with the UN Environment Programme, Nature Positive Universities and Oxford Botanic Garden. My motivation is primarily my love of British wildlife. As I've gotten older, I've realised just how much being out in nature and seeing wildlife helps my mental health, and I want to safeguard that for myself and for future generations.

I'm also very passionate about diversity and inclusion, so I head up work in this area in the youth council. We aim to improve the inclusivity of the Woodland Trust both internally and in citizen-facing work. In my spare time, I love hiking, art and films.

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!

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

Through my job at an environmental charity, 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 the policy landscape around nature, especially trees and woodlands.

I am also a trustee of Cheshire Wildlife Trust  and a member of MerseyWilders, a youth-led nature advocacy group in Merseyside. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my dog Harris, and my local LGBT+ hiking group.

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.

Em de Charentenay (she/her)

South East representative

As an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge studying biological natural sciences, I care about how research can inform evidence-based policies. Scientific knowledge is often siloed away in inaccessible journals and language, which minimises impact. Through my science communication on social media, I enjoy making biology engaging whilst factually grounded. Within Newnham’s Environmental Society and Cambridge Climate Society’s research team, I encourage interdisciplinary communication and campaign for action on environmental crises.

My academic interests primarily lie in how microbes and fungi mediate plant health. I hope to conserve the soil that can support and remediate our woodlands. I find peace in the non-judgement of the more-than-human, especially my two cats.

Sanjana Bathala (she/her) 

North representative

Hiya! I’m currently in sixth form studying politics, maths, chemistry and economics. I’m incredibly passionate about climate justice and the continued preservation of our environment. I’m doubly excited to do all I can to represent the youth voices in my area, and to inspire more young people to take a stand for the environment – once and floral!

For what it’s Earth, I am eager to integrate music and poetry (especially the folk and nature-inspired kind) into youth council initiatives. 

Sophie Nash (she/her) 

South West representative

Hello! I'm Sophie, a zoology student at the University of Exeter and all-round nature lover from beautiful Cornwall! I'm a self-proclaimed hobby collector and love creating wildlife art (@drawwithsophie on Instagram), going for long walks in nature, photography, embroidery and pottery. I'm also currently trying (emphasis on the trying) to grow some vegetables in my garden!

In addition to my myriad of hobbies, I'm also deeply passionate about the environment, so I spend much of my time volunteering with organisations such as Another Way and the Rock Pool Project, while also engaging in citizen science projects like the Big Butterfly Count and the Shark Trust's Egg Case Hunt. I'm very excited to bring my enthusiasm to the Woodland Trust to help protect and share the wonders of trees and woodlands, particularly in the South West!

Reece Buckley (he/him) 

North representative and co-chair of policy subgroup

Hello! I’m an aspiring clinical scientist based in Greater Manchester, inspired by innovations in biotechnology. I am passionate about applying science and systems thinking to drive change in policy, education and sustainability. My work focuses on youth representation, climate justice and inclusive leadership. I am committed to empowering underrepresented voices and embedding equity into all my initiatives.

Outside of my studies, I’m a barebow archer, an avid concert-goer and a nature lover. I find joy in dancing and gaming with friends, writing poetry and hiking through woodlands. I believe in the importance of self-expression and shared experiences. As a community leader, I am driven by a deep commitment to uplifting others and protecting the spaces that help us connect, heal and grow. Nature grounds me; this is why our woodlands matter to me.

Eve Dunscombe (she/her/hi/ei)

Wales representative

Hi, my names Eve! I live in Cardiff and I’m very excited to be able to represent Wales!

I’m lucky to have grown up somewhere as special as Wales where I’m never far from a green space. I’ve always held nature dear. I care deeply about protecting our planet, its ecosystems and all the life it holds, from the smallest insect to the tallest tree. I’m also a writer, a reader and a feminist. I believe that the fight for climate justice is inseparable from the fight for human dignity – for safety, autonomy and equality for all.

Helo, Eve ydw i! Dw i'n byw yng Nghaerdydd ac rwy'n gyffrous iawn i allu cynrychioli Cymru!

Rwyf wedi bod yn ffodus i dyfu i fyny mewn lle mor arbennig, lle nad wyf byth yn bell o ofod gwyrdd. Mae natur wedi bod yn agos at fy nghalon erioed. Rwy'n poeni'n fawr am amddiffyn ein planed, ei hecosystemau, a'r holl fywyd y mae'n ei gynnal-o'r felltith leiaf i'r goeden dalaf. Rwy'n awdur, yn ddarllenydd, ac yn ffeminist. I mi, mae'r frwydr dros gyfiawnder hinsawdd yn anorchfygol gyda'r frwydr dros barch at bobl, diogelwch, ymreolaeth, a chydraddoldeb i bawb.

Emily Whitworth (she/her)

North representative and co-chair of campaigns subgroup 

My favourite trees are oak and olive, because I was born in Britain, where I enjoyed strolls around oak-filled forests, then grew up in Spain, where I was taken on arid walks around the olive-filled ‘campo’ (countryside). For me, trees are family, culture, stories and spirit – without them, we lose this. Ultimately, they are homes, both literally and symbolically.

That’s why, as a marketing manager with a passion for and degree in creative writing, I want to use my digital and creative expertise to care for our forests and tell their stories. Through my role on the Woodland Trust youth council, I want to use my full skillset to make a positive impact wherever I can. To look after our ancient, leafy homes and, by association, our planet.

Heather Wilson (she/her)

Scotland representative and co-chair of policy subgroup

Hi! I’m studying politics and economics at the University of Glasgow. I’ve always been most at peace in nature, and I want to use my volunteering at the Woodland Trust to broaden the accessibility of woodlands and green spaces. In my local area, I’m lucky enough to have many nature reserves, community gardens and parks to enjoy – but this is not the case in other parts of Glasgow and the UK as a whole.

I love to get outdoors, whether it's running, birdwatching or a local hike with friends, and recently I’ve been more involved in my local nature reserves: bird ringing in the early mornings and looking after a community garden space. I’m really inspired by collective action initiatives to save the precious environments that we are so lucky to have here in Scotland, and I can’t wait to see what collaborations can be achieved in restoring forests around the country. 

Joshua Horsfall (he/him)

Central representative

With home in Norfolk, I am currently studying politics, international studies and global sustainable development at the University of Warwick. After this, I hope to do a masters degree related to climate change and migration. I am deeply interested in the intersection between our agricultural practices, the protection of British woodlands and international anthropogenic climate change. I feel I can learn so much from the Woodland Trust and never want to stop learning. At the moment, I’m really into running, but give that 10 minutes because I seem to speed date hobbies!

Ruby Scott (she/her)

South West representative

I have always had a passion and gratitude for the environment, especially our forests. I am currently studying woodland ecology and conservation at the University of Cumbria in the heart of the Lake District. I'm super excited to see where the next three years take me!

I have many different interests, including theatre, music and art, for which nature is always a great inspiration. I am also interested in the mental health benefits of being outside, getting young people outdoors and bringing back natural curiosity.

I took a gap year after finishing A levels at college to gain practical volunteer experience in the conservation sector in the UK. It was a great way of learning new skills, meeting inspiring people and getting hands-on experience after what felt like way too long in education!

Luke Maynard (he/him)

South East representative and co-chair of campaigns subgroup 

I grew up around Sussex and Kent, and I love the rich diversity of wildlife and habitats we have across the region. I’ve volunteered with several environmental charities including the Avon Wildlife Trust, SeaWatch Foundation and BTO, and am currently studying an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Nature Recovery at Oxford University. I’m excited to bring ideas from the course and my previous experience to better advocate for young people’s views here at the Trust!

In my free-time, I love hiking, reading and climbing, and am working on adding surfing and scuba diving to the list too!

Rory Bastow-Norris (he/him)

Central representative

Representing the Midlands but studying a forestry degree in Bangor North Wales, I have a deep passion for the natural world and am excited for the opportunities the Woodland Trust offers. Having started my career at a tree nursery, completing a two-year apprenticeship, I advocate for the hard work forestry workers in the UK contribute to mitigating climate change and reversing degraded landscapes.

Outside of forestry, I participate in a lot of outdoor and combat sports, which I help to coach. I believe being passionate about something is fundamental to the human experience and I am motivated to help other people reach their goals.