Nattergal & the Scouts: Inspiring the Next Generation of Nature Champions

Image credit: Scouts

Scouts UK and Nattergal launch three-year partnership to connect young people with Nature                         

Scouts UK and Nature restoration experts Nattergal have launched a three-year partnership to help thousands of young people connect with Nature and experience rewilding first-hand.

Nattergal is a UK-based nature restoration company dedicated to “delivering nature recovery at scale to provide vital benefits for society.” Nattergal specialises in restoring landscapes, revitalising biodiversity and engaging local communities to deliver long-term environmental recovery.

The new Scouts Nature badge

Through the collaboration, Nattergal will sponsor the newly refreshed Scouts Nature Badge. Previously known as the Naturalist badge, the newly updated badge encourages Scouts to identify wildlife, visit natural environments, observe seasonal changes and learn about caring for the countryside. The revamped badge will be available to Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, with Nattergal helping to develop new activities undertaken to earn the Nature badge.

The partnership is built on a shared mission: empowering people to take care of the world around them. Scouts aim to support young people in their personal development, helping them build skills for life and make a positive contribution to society. Nature, care and community are core to both organisations.

Through the collaboration, Scouts pursuing the badge will have opportunities to visit Nattergal’s Wildlands, including Harold’s Park in Essex, Boothby in Lincolnshire, and High Fen in Norfolk, join educational days, and see restoration work first-hand to bring the badge to life.

The first visit will see the 9th Muswell Hill Scouts, based in North London, visit Harold’s Park Wildland in April.

Archie Struthers, CEO of Nattergal, said:
“Partnering with Scouts is a natural fit for us.  Connecting communities with Nature is a core part of our mission and young people are vital to the future of Nature recovery. We look forward to collaborating with the Scouts to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders, providing them with hands-on opportunities to interact with Nature via our co-designed Nature badge and on our Wildlands.”

Kathy O’Brien, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Scouts, said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Nattergal as the sponsor of our Nature Badge. Their commitment to restoring the natural world and engaging communities makes them a perfect partner for inspiring young people to explore, understand and care for nature.”    

Peter Lahoud, Scout Leader, 9th Muswell Hill added:
”While being outside is second nature to a Scout, this collaboration adds a vital new dimension to their experience. Nattergal’s expertise provides a 'behind-the-scenes' look at conservation that goes far beyond a typical hike. We are giving them a deeper understanding of biodiversity today so that they can enter adulthood as informed, environmentally-conscious members of society ready to take on the challenges of the future.”

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For further information, images, site visits or interview requests please contact press@nattergal.com / Libby Gilbert on 07753 291 539.

Image credit: Scouts