Lancashire Wildlife Trust has been working with pupils of Montgomery Academy and Highfield Leadership Academy in Blackpool who have been presented with The Marsh Award, which celebrates the outstanding contributions of people who are committed to social, cultural and environmental causes.

• The Blue Influencers scheme is an ongoing, England-wide programme, that empowers young people living in coastal, estuary and river locations to improve their local landscapes and communities.

• On Monday 3^rd August, the Blue Influencers of Montgomery Academy and Highfield Leadership Academy were presented with the Marsh Young Volunteer Award for Marine Conservation by Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts.

   

• The young volunteers have inspired others, raised awareness across their schools and communities, and become confident ambassadors for marine conservation.

   

The Blue Influencers programme is delivered by Lancashire Wildlife Trust via Engagement Officers of The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery Project and the Fylde Sand Dunes Project, a partnership between Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Fylde Council and Blackpool Council which is funded by The Environment Agency until 2027. 

The Blue Influencers scheme is funded The Ernest Cook Trust and the iWill Fund, an initiative between The #iWill Movement, The National Lottery Community Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, supporting young people to take part in meaningful social action.

Over a year-long journey, pupils that have been involved in the scheme developed their understanding of coastal habitats, including beaches, sand dunes & saltmarsh, alongside issues such as plastic pollution, climate change and unsustainability. Through hands-on activities including beach cleans, nurdle surveys, egg case hunts and citizen science recording, they gained practical conservation skills and built meaningful connections with their local coastline.

Rachel Glascott, Blue Mentor and Community Engagement Officer for The Bay: A Blueprint for Recovery said: “To see both groups recognised with the Marsh Young Volunteer Award for Marine Conservation is fantastic recognition of their passion, creativity and commitment. This award belongs to the young people, and we couldn't be prouder of everything they've achieved. We are so honoured to have been part of their journey, which is not yet over. Their social action projects will leave a legacy amongst their school communities, inspiring future Blue Influencers.”

The groups designed and delivered their own youth-led social action projects. Montgomery Academy explored fast fashion, plastic pollution and unsustainable consumption, creating ‘Patrasha’ - a dress made entirely from litter and single-use plastics. This was a creative way of engaging and discussing ways to reduce environmental impact through everyday life. Patrasha has been displayed at the Morecambe Bay Curriculum event at Lancaster University and the national Blue Influencers conference in Derbyshire. 

Sam, a pupil at Highfield Leadership Academy said:

“I think the skills that we’ve developed over the past few sessions could help me in a future career. I also love learning about fish and underwater habitats.

I think I’ll use the coastline more when I go fishing and things like that, and it will be very helpful to use this knowledge. I now know how to protect my coastline a bit better, and I know about more organisations that can help me do that."

The Blue Influencers from Highfield Leadership Academy wanted to highlight the problem of single use plastic bottle pollution, as well as improving the facilities at school for water bottle refills. They have achieved this by creating a mosaic of plastic bottle lids, with a new water refill station in their school canteen area. Every time a water bottle is refilled the students get reminded that this is helping to "Save our seas".

Councillor Tommy Threlfall, Lead Member for Environment at Fylde Council, said: "This is a fantastic achievement, and huge congratulations to everyone involved in the Blue Influencers scheme. It's brilliant to see young people taking such pride in our coastline, right on our doorstep at the Fylde Sand Dunes. Projects like this don't just teach practical conservation skills, they inspire the next generation to care about protecting our environment for years to come. Well done to all the pupils, and to Lancashire Wildlife Trust and everyone who supported them along the way."

Councillor Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: "These young people have done themselves and Blackpool proud. Their passion for marine conservation and their commitment to making our coastline a better place should be an inspiration to us all.

"Protecting our coast is a responsibility we all share, so it's fantastic to see Blackpool's young people leading by example. Their enthusiasm for the natural environment and dedication to caring for our iconic coastline has earned them this well-deserved award and shows what can be achieved when passion is turned into positive action."