Hazel Mooney, Postgraduate Researcher

University of Leeds

For over four years I have dedicated my spare time to championing the voice of young people in conservation and climate action through work centered around trees. This includes, for 3 years, chairing Students for Trees - a UK-wide programme supported by the Woodland Trust and SOS-UK to mobilise students to take action for woods and trees.

Both in my role with Students for Trees and at my University I have voluntarily coordinated local and national events for young people to engage with woods and trees, including tree planting events, social media campaigns and woodland-themed wellbeing workshops. I have also created educational materials for children to help build their connection with trees and have been consulted by environmental charities on how best to engage young people in their campaigns.

My greatest achievement was being invited to speak in Parliament to the All–Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees, presenting calls to action for the conservation of trees in the UK.  

What the Judges Thought

A brilliant case study of hands-on learning, working with Students for Trees create educational materials for children to help build their connection with trees. Alongside her studies for a PhD, Hazel is a Student Sustainability Architect and has become an authority on engagement with young people and invited to speak in Parliament to the All–Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees, presenting calls to action for the conservation of trees in the UK. 

Judges were really impressed with the scale of impact - including 5500 planted in 2022 and 7500 so far in 2023 and helping others to do the same through the ‘how to plant’ webinars for groups we have supported in setting up tree planting events. This project shows very strong advocacy and personal commitment and passion for engaging young people.

What it Means to Win

"Our University strategy is rooted in our desire to make a difference in the world, and sustainability is at the heart of this. Hazel has made an exceptional contribution in engaging young people in sustainability both at the University and beyond, and we’re proud to see her recognised with this award."

Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Chancellor and President

Top 3 Learnings

1. Giving young people a platform to share their ideas is key to creating sustainable solutions.
2. Many organisations are excited to hear from young people and those early in their career.
3. Nature means different things to different people. Identifying those complexities helps us engage more people.