A dynamic group of young people who have been heavily involved in a number of conservation and community projects in Pembrokeshire have been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Youth Rangers, who are part of the Big Lottery-funded Your Park project, are vying for a UK National Park Volunteer Award, having been shortlisted in the group category.

National Park Authority chairman Clr. Mike James said: “These young people have given up countless hours of their time to make a difference, showing a mixture of teamwork, leadership skills and dedication.

“The Your Park project has allowed this group to gain a wealth of experience and has encouraged the young people to spend more time outside and improve opportunities for others to do the same. They can take pride in being shortlisted in a category full of inspirational groups.”

The 16-25 year olds are involved in championing volunteering in a variety of ways. They have been heavily involved in the Your Park project’s work at Portfield Gate Woods in Haverfordwest, helping to transform the abandoned site into a haven for wildlife and walkers alike.

As well as volunteering time and effort in helping to conserve and enhance the National Park and surrounding areas, the Youth Rangers have represented the National Park Authority at many public events and have even attended the EUROPARC conference in Hungary.

The Youth Rangers are one of three groups chosen from nine nominations from National Parks across England, Scotland and Wales.

The Youth Rangers have been shortlisted alongside the Discover Llangorse and Bwlch Alliance from Brecon Beacons National Park and the National Trust West Full-Time Volunteer Rangers from Exmoor National Park. The winners will be announced this month.

If they are victorious, they will receive a £1,000 bursary to go towards future volunteering activities.

National Parks UK director Kathryn Cook said: “All the individuals, projects and groups nominated for this year’s Volunteer Awards are truly inspiring. Putting together the 2015 shortlist sparked a lot of heated discussion amongst our short-listing panel.”

For more information on the Youth Rangers and the Your Park project visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/yourpark or like ‘Your Park PCNPA’ on Facebook.

If you would like to get involved with the Youth Ranger Scheme, contact the Discovery Team on 01646 624800 or email [email protected].