A voice emerges from the curious mind, a soul of wisdom before it’s time… the next generation has a story to tell.
It was once the domain of experienced, well travelled boffins to write emotive and detailed essays on the happening of nature—not so, since the advent of the internet. In fact, an emerging trend in media is the voice of youth. We see blogs and videos from tech-savvy teens and even younger, populating the digital world, and prestigious publications like BBC Wildlife which features a column dedicated to the words of budding young naturalists. As a publisher and editor covering science, culture and conservation; I too embrace the talent and genuine passion of young journalists, photographers, ambassadors giving nature a voice and discovering their purpose.
Working with members of the A-Team is a rewarding experience, the youthful outlook and energy they express is a catalyst for motivating continued engagement in issues of the environment.
There is a place for experience and experiment, each offers a unique perspective that appeals to different generations. I consider this new breed of reporters to be valued contributors to BEJournal, a resource for educators and an inspiration for other students sharing their wild aspirations!
Top Ten Resources for Young Wildlife Journalists
- BBC Young Reporter Academy
- Article: How to be a Wildlife Journalist
- Girls Who Click
- Article: How to Make and Use a Nature Journal to Record Your Wildlife Observations
- Society of Environmental Journalists
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year Youth Competition
- Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition
- Lesson: Reading and Writing About Endangered Species
- Article: Nature Writing Prompts for Kids
- Database: Use Your Photography to Become a Citizen Scientist
