'Empower young people to be bold conservationists'

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Qays Najm/BBC Chris Packham, sitting outside in front of green foliage. He is looking at the camera and smiling and is wearing an orange T-shirt with a red coat and a brown coat over the top.

BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham has said young people should be empowered to become the brave and bold conservationists of the future.

The naturalist was visiting the University of East Anglia in Norwich as part of the centenary celebrations for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

"Typically young people are clearer thinking, clearer speaking, they're not so risk averse," he said.

He also praised the work of fellow TV conservationist Sir David Attenborough, who had "taught generations of young people to develop a deep-rooted love for the natural world".

Jill Bennett/BBC Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham at Wild Ken Hill. Michaela has shoulder-length blonde hair and a fringe and is wearing a blue jacket. Chris is on the right and is wearing a red coat over a red fleece. Both are smiling and behind them are trees and shrubs.

Packham is a co-presenter of the long-running BBC Two wildlife programme, as well as a campaigner and author.

Speaking to BBC Look East's Amelia Reynolds, he said he had been visiting Norfolk since the late 1970s, including with Springwatch to broadcast from Wild Ken Hill by the coast.

"You've got sandy dunes, you've got muddy coasts, you've got reedbeds, you've got dry heath, you've got all this farmland as well," he said.

"With all that diversity of habitat over Norfolk, it attracts a great range of species."

He praised Norfolk Wildlife Trust for "diligently documenting everything that lives in our county".

Julie Smart The sun rising over Roydon Common. In the foreground, there are plants that are tinged red by the sunlight. There is fog on the ground. The sun is in the middle of the picture. There are clouds in the sky, which also has red tinge.

Past conservation efforts have focused on preserving nature reserves and Packham now wants people to work with farmers and foresters to help "reshape the landscape" so it is "healthier".

"I think what we need at the moment are some brave and bold politicians who are going to accept that we are in a crisis and we have to act," he added.

"Climate breakdown will be impacting the farmers here and their capacity to produce food... please don't think that the nature crisis and the climate crisis is not having an impact on the cost of living crisis, because it very definitely is."

Agricultural production would be seriously impacted by drier ground, the study also said.

PA Media Sir David Attenborough holding on to a tree. He is standing outside and is looking directly at the camera and smiling. He is wearing a blue shirt with a waterproof coat over the top.

Packham believes his campaigning activities would be harder if it were not for Attenborough — who is soon to celebrate his 100th birthday.

"He is the greatest broadcaster the world has ever had and the greatest ambassador of life. He has entertained, engaged, enraptured people, he has taught generations of young people to have a deep-rooted affinity, a love, for the natural world," he said.

"And without that, when people like myself go knocking on the door, asking for support, it wouldn't be there."

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