Youth Educator Kim Polgreen receives High Sheriff of Oxfordshire's Award

Kim Polgreen's tireless efforts in improving the lives of young people have been recognised by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. As Wytham Woods' Youth Educator in Residence, Kim has achieved a huge amount since she started working with us on a voluntary basis in 2020. Her mission is to reconnect young people with nature, which she manages in a variety of ways, from facilitating school fieldwork trips, to providing supervised revision sessions in the Woods for those students who do not find it easy to focus at home or at school. Her work with local communities led to the Woods being granted £5000 by the City Council for improving school grounds; as a result we have been able to plant trees at Cherwell School, Cutteslowe School, and SS Philip and James Primary School. This helps young people maintain a connection with nature even when they are not surrounded by the wonderful environment of Wytham Woods. 

Another key activity which Kim undertakes for us is the running of work experience weeks at the Woods, giving young people a taste behind the scenes of what it is like to work here - whether as a scientist, or helping with Kim's wider educational programme.

Kim said "It's been wonderful to work with the Wytham team on so many school projects. Their warmth and willingness to embrace new ideas and projects, however outlandish, is so joyful and empowering."

The team are delighted that Kim's hard work has been noticed further afield and she is very well-deserving of this award. Well done Kim!