Inspiring young conservationists
Molly Bown visits a York primary school to talk about the topic of her PhD research.
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting St Peter’s Primary School in York to chat with their Year 2 class about a big topic: illegal wildlife trade, with a focus on ivory. I wasn’t sure how such young students would respond to this, but their curiosity and enthusiasm completely blew me away.
We started with the basics: what ivory is, why people want it, and how this demand threatens elephants and other wildlife. The students were quick to grasp these ideas, and their thoughtful questions showed how deeply they cared.
We also talked about how conservation isn’t just about protecting animals, it’s about helping people too. I explained how reducing poverty and tackling corruption in countries affected by wildlife crime can make a big difference. It’s a lot to take in, but this group got it. They understood that to help protect elephants, the solution needs to involve people at every step, from the laws we have about ivory to the individual choices about what people buy.
A big highlight was the Q&A session. The children eagerly asked questions by holding up their arms like elephant trunks while waiting their turn. One asked, “Why do people want ivory if it is illegal?”. While another poignantly asked, “Why can’t people wait till the elephants die to collect the ivory?”. Their energy, curiosity, and compassion were inspiring, and their ideas gave me so much hope.
Of course, a lot of this enthusiasm was thanks to their fantastic teacher, Miss Evans, who is clearly passionate about the environment herself. She’s been sparking their interest in nature and conservation throughout the term, and it really showed in the children’s thoughtful and earnest questions. It was a joy to see how she encouraged their questions and helped them connect the dots between people, animals, and the environment. Thank you, Miss Evans, for creating such a wonderful space for these young conservationists to grow!
It’s easy to feel daunted by the challenges of conservation. Problems like wildlife crime and poverty can seem overwhelming. But spending time with these kids reminded me why this work matters. They didn’t just care about the elephants, they understood that helping people is part of the solution too. As I left the classroom, I couldn’t stop smiling. These kids weren’t just learning about the world, they were already thinking about how to make it better. Thanks to teachers like Miss Evans and their enthusiasm, I feel optimistic about the future of conservation. Here’s to the next generation of changemakers, if this group is anything to go by, we’re in good hands!