What will get teenagers interested in Wildlife?

[tigger]

I guess I'm posing this question for the younger members of WAB, but I'm happy to hear from anyone... young, middle and old!

I'm running a Wildlife project in my village (it's a very big village of 10,000 residents) and we are trying to think of ways of getting teenagers (especially aged between 14-19) involved in wildlife.

What sort of things would you suggest? What would have got you involved in wildlife in your teens? or if you ARE in your teens, what sort of things are you looking for or interested in doing?

I'm really interested to hear peoples views... doesn't matter what the suggestion is, we want to consider everything and anything.

Thanks. Jane

[galanthus]

First off they need to be approached by a half decent, young-minded person, one who is in touch with their culture. A good mix of humour and passion helps along with a good knowledge base of groovy vibes so that you can talk to them about other things. Oh, and a few 'fit' members of the opposite sex

[leifus]

yeah 'fit' members of the opposite sex would do very nicely!! Im 14 and i like photographing wildlife - but if you cant do that then try to look at as many different things as you can. I think this will show them how much is out there and hopefully how endless the excitement is....oh and maybe throw in a few rarities if you can.
A hands on approach might be good....like getting their hands dirty kinda thing - pond dipping erm...you could try getting them to find the wildlife rather than you pointing it out....hope I've helped but its hard to say because i love wildlife already and they probably wont at the mo and to be honest liking wildlife if you are between 14 and 19 is unfortunately 'uncool'

[jay37]

i agree with all that galanthus said plus .my kids want to get stuck in,hands on style .try to avoid projects where they cant really do much and have to spend time watching and waiting as they will get bored .my boyes enjoyed cleaning out our pond, making fences,tending to the bird table,strimming grass that kind of thing.there is somthing for everyone even if its only making tea,
jay

[tigger]

Hi. Thanks for replies so far. I really giggled at the "fit opposite sex" bit.... (why hadn't I thought of that!)

Why is liking wildlife between 14-19 uncool.... I don't get it. You are right Leifus we are trying to get people who have no liking for it at the moment... and show them how great it can be. Uphill struggle... but there must be some way - it's just finding the right one.

When you say "throw in a few rarities" what do you mean exactly? That intrigues me!

Thanks...

[leifus]

maybe like something rare but beautiful - i know your not going to be able to do this but something like a slipper orchid - hard to match i know but I know I love finding rare things so maybe they will too - as ive said its hard to say because i love wildlife but they dont....

I guess its uncool because its apparently much more fun to be lying on the sofa and playing the xbox and shooting people yaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn!!!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - woooops sorry - anyway yeah getting involved with plenty to do is vital i think....

not that i mind having the countryside to myself tho but it would be great to have someone my own age who i could go to nature reserves with and stuff - find rare flowers and dragonflies etc etc etc....ah well good luck!!!

[monkey]

I certainly dont qualify for the 14-19 age group but maybe by rarities its meant someting like asking the rapture centre to bring along some birds of prey or something that will be exciting to initially capture their attention.

Instill the idea that you can still sit glued to the computer but on WAB instead of facebook

Years ago I got involved in my daughters school and started the clearing of the overgrown woodland into a nature trail and building a natural pond which they loved because it was hands on and dirty work

Good luck you will enjoy it and its a great idea

Linda

[NickCantle]

Originally Posted by leifus

maybe like something rare but beautiful - i know your not going to be able to do this but something like a slipper orchid - hard to match i know but I know I love finding rare things so maybe they will too - as ive said its hard to say because i love wildlife but they dont....

I guess its uncool because its apparently much more fun to be lying on the sofa and playing the xbox and shooting people yaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnn!!!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - woooops sorry - anyway yeah getting involved with plenty to do is vital i think....

not that i mind having the countryside to myself tho but it would be great to have someone my own age who i could go to nature reserves with and stuff - find rare flowers and dragonflies etc etc etc....ah well good luck!!!

I wish you lived closer Leifus I too crave companions to go searching for rare and wonderful things with. Okay, i'm 20, but still! My missus is 18 and she's a fair companion, but I always feel like i'm forcing her to learn- she insists I'm not though! I know I'm not forcing her, but It's hard to believe that she takes an interest in such geeky things like mycology

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I wish you lived closer Leifus I too crave companions to go searching for rare and wonderful things with. Okay, i'm 20, but still! My missus is 18 and she's a fair companion, but I always feel like i'm forcing her to learn- she insists I'm not though! I know I'm not forcing her, but It's hard to believe that she takes an interest in such geeky things like mycology

Hay Nick, what's geeky about wanting to learn about your environment and the flora and fauna it contains. It's only geeky to people who have no interest in it.

[NickCantle]

I know, but on 'the outside world' it's a geeky thing. Of course I don't consider it geeky, but if people do consider it geeky, then it doesn't bother me.