Chough: Inspiring the next generation through community engagement

Kent Wildlife Trust's Chough Appeal is more than just a conservation initiative—it’s a powerful tool for community engagement and education. This blog is written by Jenny Luddington, the Youth Education and Engagement Officer for Kent Wildlife Trust... 

I have gained many titles since working for Kent Wildlife Trust, including “Community Organiser” for my role on the Nextdoor Nature Project, “Blue Mentor” for the work on Blue Influencers Scheme, but I am also affectionately known by many young people just as "The Chough Lady". 

I come from a Youth and Community background; I have always had a personal passion for corvids, but since working on the Chough Reintroduction Program I’ve been able to work with communities and particularly with children and young people to help them take action for nature – this is often through creative activities, including those that can be found in the Chough Education Pack. 

 

Chough as a symbol of hope 

Tim Horton

In my role I attend many community events delivering activities from the pack that help to inspire the next generation of wildlife defenders. 

Flagship species like the chough play a crucial role in these efforts. These species, often charismatic or culturally significant, act as powerful symbols of broader conservation goals. The chough, with its striking appearance and fascinating story, is a perfect example. Young people take pride and - perhaps more importantly - hope in seeing the chough returning to Dover.  

 

Connecting with community 

Community engagement is central to the Chough Reintroduction and creative, hands-on activities have proven to be one of the most effective ways to inspire action. Whether it’s attending an event, delivering an assembly, or working with young people to develop their own social action projects as part of the Blue Influencers Scheme or the Wilder Kent Awards. 

Dover Big Local Home Education Group recently created flying paper chough and made edible models of Dover Castle’s Pharos Lighthouse to enact the skilful acrobatics of these charismatic birds.   
 
Be You Youth Group in Dover are working with Barrel Theatre Company to create theatre-based piece in 2025 and are inspired by the idea of the lonely chough, what it was like to be the last chough, and how the future could look for the species if communities come together to support the chough reintroduction.   

These activities not only connect children and young people with nature in a tangible way, but also play an active role in having conversations about conservation. 

November 11th  - 17th was Hope Week and I visited 7 youth groups over 7 days to talk about the red-billed chough, the Wilder Kent Awards, and the Blue Influencers Scheme and was invited to the following groups: 

  • 2nd & 4th Cheriton Guides to explore their ideas for a Folkestone District Eco Event for Thinking Day,  
  • Be You to generate ideas for their drama project. 
  • Folkestone Urban Shed who discussed ways to make the festive season greener. 
  • 8th Folkestone Guides who continue to develop sewing skills for their Plastic Pollution Fashion Show. 
  • Hythe Youth Centre who talked about their favourite animals and ways they could “Be More Tree”. 
  • 2nd Sandgate Beavers who had a Chough Talk. 
  • Cheriton Community Network to do some nature-based festive crafts. 
  • Hawkinge Rainbows and Brownies who were doing a nature-themed badge in a day.   

By supporting the Chough Appeal, people will not only be helping practical conservation activities but also community-driven conservation. If you are a Folkestone/Dover-based school or youth group, you can also find out more information about the Blue Influencers Scheme here. 

Find out more about the Chough Reintroduction Project