Groundwork NE & Cumbria Launches ESK Valley River Ranger Programme to Create Green Career Opportunities For Young People In East Cleveland
Four young people from East Cleveland who were previously not in education, employment or training have started six-month placements as Esk Valley River Rangers, with Groundwork NE & Cumbria, gaining practical conservation experience and nationally recognised qualifications through the REConnect programme in the Esk Valley and the North York Moors National Park.
River Esk Connect (REConnect) is a five-year community engagement programme, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. Launched in September 2024, the programme aims to reconnect people with the River Esk and its surrounding landscape, encouraging local communities to value, protect and care for the area’s unique natural environment while raising awareness of the impacts of climate change.
In June 2026, the four young recruits became Esk Valley River Rangers, beginning six months of paid conservation work to help deliver environmental improvements across the River Esk and within the North York Moors National Park.
By completing the placement, the River Rangers will gain practical experience and recognised training that support a clear route into employment in the growing ‘green economy’, while their work delivers lasting environmental benefits for the local area.
To date, the four River Rangers have carried out practical conservation work, contributing directly to biodiversity recovery, climate resilience and improved access to high-quality natural environments for local communities and visitors.
Their work has included:
- controlling invasive species
- restoring estuarine habitats
- managing wildflower meadows
- supporting community engagement at public events
- enhancing footpaths and access for local communities and visitors.
Alongside practical training and work experience, the four trainees are gaining recognised qualifications including First Aid, brushcutter licences and carbon literacy training. The training is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and North York Moors National Park Authority (through Section 106 funding associated with the Woodsmith Mine development).
The placements also support workplace skills development and offer access to optional vocational courses, helping participants build the knowledge, confidence and experience needed to progress into environmental careers.
Finlay Dewar, one of the River Rangers trainees who started the placement in June, said: “I have been learning new skills and getting to meet new people. I am gaining more knowledge about different locations and areas of the streams that run into the River Esk. I had never been to Spital Beck before, and now I am supporting access to it through footpath clearance.”
Hellen Hornby, Nature-based Solutions Lead at Groundwork NE & Cumbria, said: “We hope the River Ranger initiative will provide the stepping stone these young people need to build careers in conservation. The initiative gives participants paid work experience, practical skills and recognised training while also delivering environmental improvements across the Esk Valley. We’re grateful to our funders for making this opportunity possible and would welcome conversations with other local organisations interested in supporting future training and employment opportunities.”
Groundwork NE & Cumbria hopes to offer further employment placements in 2027 for young people aged 18 to 21 who are not currently in education, employment or training. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact hellen.hornby@groundwork.org.uk or call 07548 223757.