About the event

Join us for a Youth Ranger conservation session along the River Lea, open to young people aged 12–17 living in Luton or Bedfordshire. During this session, we’ll be carrying out hands‑on conservation work at one of Luton’s accessible riverside green spaces- Limbury Meads. 

Our main task will be removing Himalayan balsam, an invasive species that threatens native plants, as well as tackling other invasive species that may be dominating the riverbanks, such as goldenrod and mugwort.

These monthly sessions provide opportunities for meeting other young people interested in the natural environment, learning new skills, as well as exploring a variety of green spaces across Bedfordshire. This session also offers a chance to learn more about the River Lea — a rare and valuable chalk stream habitat within Luton — and the work being done to protect its health and wildlife.

What to expect

The work will take place on steeper riverbanks and may involve:

• Uneven ground
• Walking through shallow water

If you have any accessibility concerns or questions, please get in touch with us before the session.

What to wear

Please dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend:

• Wellington boots (a limited number are available to borrow — contact us in advance if you need a pair)
• Long trousers and long‑sleeved tops, as there is long grass and stinging nettles along the riverbanks

What we provide

• Refreshments
• Safety gloves

Meeting point

We will meet at the entrance just off Riverside Road, Luton, where free roadside parking is available.
What3Words location for the meeting point: agreed.tribes.blend

Time

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Our staff will be on hand throughout the session. Please do contact us in advance if you have any questions.

No previous experience is required — just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. 

* First‑time attendees: If you have not attended a Youth Ranger session before, a parental permission form must be completed. Please contact Ieva before booking to receive the online form: ieva.piraga@wildlifebcn.org

** Weather notice: In cases of extreme weather, the session may be cancelled if high water levels or heavy rainfall affect safety or accessibility.