Meet South Downs National Park Youth Ambassador Max
May 9, 2025
Young people are passionate about nature, climate and the environment – perhaps more than any generation before them.
Our Youth Ambassadors fulfil a crucial role of ensuring that young peoples’ voices are heard across the South Downs National Park, with our partners and wider networks. This month we meet Max.
Why did you sign up as a Youth Ambassador?
I have grown up just around the corner from the South Downs and have spent so much of my childhood and young adult life within it. I saw this as a golden opportunity to inspire other young people to care for nature and the South Downs in the same way that I do.
What activities/tasks do you get involved with in this role?
So far my time as a Youth Ambassador has included an educational walk and talk in the Queen Elizabeth National Park. The event was aimed at bringing young people together through nature where I myself made new friends. It was an amazing chance to connect with other young people.
Do you have a favourite place in the National Park?
My favourite place has to be Devil’s Dyke. It is only an hour’s walk from my house where I can stroll through the rolling hills of the South Downs before reaching Devil’s Dyke itself.
What three tips would you give someone your age to help them get out into nature more?
- Do some research! It can be easy to think there are no fun walks or adventures to be had around you but you might be surprised. A quick google search could give you many different walks and areas of nature to visit, even if it is the local park!
- Talk to your friends and family. Many of my walks have been with my mum, so why not see who wants to join? Chances are, some of your friends and family will want to go out into nature too.
- Start small. Try and spend more time in your garden if you have one, or in your local park. In doing so, you may feel more connected with nature and be more determined to broaden your horizons. If not, that is not a problem at all! By spending time in your garden or local park, you will feel the benefits of surrounding yourself in nature.
What does the South Downs National Park mean to you?
The National Park means a whole lot to me. I spent so much of my childhood cycling along the trails, watching sunsets and spotting wild deer bouncing through the fields. In fact, my first walks and mountain biking experiences were all in the downs and the South Downs continues to be one of my favourite spots to explore, whether it is for walks, runs, bike rides, sunsets or stargazing – it has it all! I will always be grateful for living just a hop, skip and a jump away from the South Downs.