A NATURE reserve is offering young people the chance to volunteer and put something back into the environment.

St Nicholas Fields and York Environment Centre, in Tang Hall, is today launching a new project entitled The Young Friends Of St Nicholas Fields. The 24-acre local nature reserve offers a variety of habitats for wildlife and a place for the people of York to explore. There is community woodland, wildlife meadow, butterfly walk, children’s playground and York’s very own Stonehenge The Young Friends Of St Nicholas Fields project is an opportunity for young people in York to help the local community and environment, gain both practical and professional skills, and work with a motivated group of like-minded people.

Michelle Hawthorne, volunteer co-ordinator at St Nicholas Fields, said: “This really is a fantastic opportunity for young people to not only benefit the environment but their future prospects by gaining skills and experience in practical conservation, events organisation, publicity, environmental education and much, much more.”

The launch kicks off today at 11am and runs to 2pm. There will be a prize treasure hunt around the nature reserve and opportunities to discuss the future of the project, along with refreshments.

St Nicholas Fields is also home to the sustainably-built York Environment Centre – the hub of green activity in York. The centre is the base for the York Rotters home composting advice scheme, York’s kerbside recycling team and an ethical shop, which is open six days a week.

Furthermore, the centre runs environmental education workshops for local schools, businesses and community groups, as well as providing a base for the volunteers who help to maintain the nature reserve, work in the office, support other projects and organise events.

For more information about St Nicholas Fields, go to www.stnicksfields.org.uk or phone 01904 411821. For inquiries about the Young Friends Of St Nicholas Fields and other volunteer opportunities email volunteer@stnicksfields.org.uk