A new report from The Wildlife Trusts has uncovered a growth in green careers in 2025, with more people developing their environmental skills including through traineeships, T Level placements and dedicated leadership programmes.  

Data gathered by The Wildlife Trusts suggests that more young people are developing their green careers, with nearly a quarter (23%) of their staff aged 16-29 having progressed in their roles in the past year alone. More Wildlife Trust career opportunities were also opened to both young people and those seeking a career change in 2025 as a result of growing demand.  

The trends have been revealed by The Wildlife Trusts’ annual Diversity Report, which seeks to assess representation as well as highlight the opportunities and barriers to accessing nature and environmental careers.  

From community gardening spaces to peatland restoration projects, a range of other initiatives from across 46 local Wildlife Trusts are also boosting career opportunities which help to tackle nature loss, climate change and increase access to greenspace. These include: 

• The Environmental Leadership Programme supports 18 to 25 year olds from underrepresented and underserved communities across the West Midlands to develop environmental leadership skills and connection with nature, creating pathways into Wildlife Trust careers and environmental action.
• Naturally Connected Young People is delivering a UK-wide programme of nature-connection projects to young people aged 11-16 across the UK, working across secondary schools and community groups. Focused on reaching young people who traditionally face the greatest barriers when it comes to accessing nature, the programme helps participants to immerse themselves in nature to support their health and well-being.
• T Level placements which, through a pilot scheme, offered over 800 industry placement hours in office-based roles for T-Level students - 16 to 19 year olds learning vocational skills in subjects such as business, marketing, digital and finance. As a result of the placements, students’ confidence in crucial employability skills increased. 

Miriam Bentley-Rose, head of equity, diversity and inclusion at The Wildlife Trusts, says:  

“We know that more than three quarters of adults in the UK are worried about nature loss and climate change, including a large proportion of young people. If we are to reverse the loss of wildlife and tackle climate threats head on, providing the opportunities for everyone to get involved, feel welcome and valued, and be able experience the joy of wildlife in their daily lives is mission critical.  

“We’re proud of the careers we’re helping to foster here at The Wildlife Trusts and beyond, and we remain committed to becoming more and more representative of the communities that we work with, alongside, and for, including our staff and volunteers. After all, there is still a long way to go in creating a truly diverse nature movement where everyone can thrive, and, given the threats to the natural world, it needs all of our voices to continue to protect, restore and cherish it.”  

The Wildlife Trusts recently hosted an online panel event and Q&A - Wild Future: Careers With The Wildlife Trusts – which highlighted the many ways in which people can find roles in the environment and conservation sector. Over 2,000 people registered for the event, with thousands more views online since, marking one of The Wildlife Trusts’ best received online events in recent years and reflecting the growing desire amongst a diverse range of people to join the nature movement. 

Liz Bonnin, president of The Wildlife Trusts, says:   

“The Wildlife Trusts are a federation committed to reflecting the values of equality, diversity and inclusion in our workforce, and to supporting and progressing EDI initiatives throughout the environmental sector. This report shows that people, and the passion and dedication of our Staff Networks, are at the heart of this vital work, but it also reminds us that we must continue to overcome obstacles - from increasing ethnic diversity to reducing our pay gaps to zero. Together, we are working to make The Wildlife Trusts a place where everyone truly belongs. Nature is for all, and our movement must be too.” 

The Wildlife Trusts’ annual Diversity report also found that almost a third of its staff have a disability, long-term health condition or caring responsibilities, and over two thirds of staff are women. The ethnic diversity of staff continues to grow, albeit with more action needed across the sector to better reflect society, whilst many pay gaps are also closing across The Wildlife Trusts.  

Read the full report

Career opportunities with The Wildlife Trusts