The teenage activist inspiring a new generation of conservationists

A seed of an idea has grown into something much bigger for an activist who set out to initiate positive change in her neighbourhood.

“This is just the beginning,” says Hemlata Pant, talking about the Newtown Nature Club that she founded in the park by her house this summer.

Inspired to act after joining Action for Conservation webinars during lockdown, the 16-year-old decided to make a difference on her own doorstep, securing a £500 grant that enabled her to run gardening sessions for children and young people.

Over the summer, the growing number of members – ranging from toddlers to teenagers – were busy planting and building bug houses and learning about pollination, biodiversity and much more in Newtown Park, by the start of the Bristol & Bath Railway Path.

“I really wanted to take action because I think the news we hear is really sensationalised stuff, but what the webinar showed me is there are things you can do even as a child or a young person that can make a tangible difference,” says Hemlata, who started the project to take action in the face of climate change but says it has also helped bring the community together.

“I think when you make a difference, you influence others too, which makes a bit more of a difference.”

Proudly pointing out the different herbs and plants growing in her garden, the teenager is in her element outside but until recently she lived in a flat with no garden and knows many families in the area are in the same position.

“There are council flats where people don’t have gardens so the idea was to get pots and plant them so they could take it home and put it on the window,” says Hemlata.

“We used to live in a flat and the plant we had was a tomato plant that lived on the windowsill. I know from experience it’s such a nice thing to have and now every time I smell tomato leaves I think of it and I just wanted to recreate that for others.”

The £500 grant from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew’s Grow Wild Youth Project Grant was spent on pots, compost and materials to run the gardening club. From that, young people in the area have been inspired to do more green activities, including some guerrilla gardening.

The former Montpelier High School student, who is now studying for A-levels at Cotham School, hopes to launch a project to plant legacy trees to mark Newtown’s 50th anniversary, adding: “So much has come out of that little gardening club.”

The nature club is supported by youth environmental action and education charity Action for Conservation, which aims to inspire and empower young people, aged 12-18, to become the next generation of nature conservationists.

“I’d just like people to keep optimistic about climate change and the world and make sure to connect with your community” – photo by Hemlata Pant

The charity’s communications and digital campaigns officer Hannah Ryan Leah says: “After such a difficult 18 months because of the pandemic it has been incredible to see young people come together in Newtown Park to learn about wildflowers, pollinators and green spaces.

“It’s so exciting to see how Hemlata has inspired so many young people in her area to get outside and take action this summer.”

Hemlata would like to see nature clubs like the one she founded launched all over the city and beyond.

Reflecting on the project and the message she has for young people, Hemlata adds: “I’d just like people to keep optimistic about climate change and the world and make sure to connect with your community – something that people don’t know they’re missing is community.”

Hemlata Pant secured a £500 grant to launch Newtown Nature Club this summer – photo by Ellie Pipe

Main photo by Ellie Pipe 

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