Chester Zoo Youth Board

In 2020, we established the first UK charity zoo Youth Board to help drive the future direction of the zoo and deepen our engagement with teenagers and young adults.

From university students and teachers to graphic designers, psychologists, sustainability specialists, civil servants and beyond, our Youth Board is made up of vibrant, diverse young people aged 18 to 27. Each member brings a unique perspective and together they provide a powerful voice for young people in conservation. They have one mission – to help prevent extinction.

Providing a voice for young people

Through working collaboratively with Trustees, Directors, zoo staff and networks, they enable the zoo to achieve its mission, with a particular focus on empowering the next generation of conservationists.

Members contribute to the board on a voluntary basis, elect their own Chair and are accountable to the Board of Trustees. They provide a voice for young people and support the zoo in developing programmes that resonate with teenagers and young adults. The board focuses its impact through working groups including external reach, commercial growth, public affairs, people and culture, and conservation education and engagement.

We recruit new members each year, usually around October to November. If you have questions for our current members or you're interested in applying to be a Youth Board Member, get in touch at youthboard@chesterzoo.org

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Key areas of involvement and achievement include:

Shaping Chester Zoo's Youth Strategy and offers, from youth events and courses to volunteering opportunities, communications, resources and Youth Membership.
Contributing to Chester Zoo's Inclusion Strategy and People Plan development.
Leading the planning and delivery of the annual Chester Zoo Youth Summit.
Contributing to IUCN Motions and engaging with the IUCN Youth Summit.
Working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the development of the new National Youth Strategy.
Serving on the Youth Steering Group and assessment process for the local Youth Provision Needs Assessment.
Co-authoring letters to governmental ministers as Youth Board members.
Responding to the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
Connecting with other Youth Boards and Councils, including membership of the Future Forum.
Taking part in local forums and task forces, including the Chester Sustainability Forum and Cheshire West and Chester Climate Task Force.
Creating blogs and podcasts, attending careers fairs and youth-focused events to amplify youth voice.
Contributing to a scientific paper in Conservation Biology journal: 'Zoo Spheres of Influence Model'.
Attending zoo events, external events and conferences.

Discover more

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Young voices in conservation

Meet some of our amazing board members and hear why they love being part of the Youth Board, making a real difference at Chester Zoo and across the conservation sector.

Watch now

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Youth Governance Toolkit

We believe young people offer skills and insight that can help prevent extinction. Our Youth Board created this toolkit to help organisations establish their own youth governance.

Youth Board Toolkit

Conservation Changemakers' Toolkit

Are you a young person aged 13 to 25 who's passionate about wildlife or environmental issues? We've created a Conservation Changemakers' Toolkit for aspiring young changemakers like you.

Find out more