North Wales youngsters are breathing new life into their local environment through the planting of millions of seagrass seeds.

Seagrass Ocean Rescue is a £1m National Lottery-funded project to improve the seawater quality off the coast of Pwllheli, Absersoch, and Anglesey by regenerating the underwater environment via five million seagrass seeds.

The project, overseen by North Wales Wildlife Trust, has harnessed the youngsters in local communities to carry out the project and spread awareness about the impact of climate change in their area.

And Anna Williams, 15, admits the National Lottery-funded initiative has been a game-changer.

She said: “Once a month at least we meet up with everyone in the group. We have been learning to snorkel, and about seagrass from the summer camp that we went on, where we picked seagrass seeds and got to learn about conservation.

“Last year we planted the seeds and this year we got to see how it had grown. We want to expand the seagrass meadow as much as possible, so we are going to come back every year and plant more seagrass until eventually the bed will be even bigger than it is already.”

Seagrass is a highly efficient carbon sink, as well as protecting the coastline, but much of the seagrass habitat along the Welsh coast has been destroyed.

Now, with the hard work of young people, it is being rebuilt and the project is even inspiring its participants to go on and make an even bigger impact in the future.

“I am really grateful that I have the opportunity to do it,” added Williams.

“Lots of people who I have spoken to have no idea about seagrass but now they are really interested to get involved.

“I was really upset when I learned about the big impact of climate change. To be able to do this made me feel a lot better because I am actually doing something that I know would help the environment and is productive in tackling climate change.”

Figures released today show that more than £3 Billion of National Lottery good causes funding has been invested over the last decade into projects like Seagrass Ocean Rescue  which specifically support and develop children and young people.

Over the past 10 years, this huge investment which has had a positive life-changing impact on children and young across the UK, has supported over 58,000 projects which has helped them learn new skills, develop their communities as well giving them the tools to enhance their lives and the lives of others. 

Thanks to National Lottery players, the funding is providing greater opportunities in life for many children and young people across the environment, arts, education, community, heritage and sport – with a big proportion of the money helping to connect young people with their environment and teaching them how to protect it.

The environment is an issue close to the hearts of young people. Many of the volunteers in our communities who seek to drive change and educate people about how to look after our environment are the younger generation. The National Lottery distributors are dedicated to helping young people continue that passion through funding incredible projects across the UK to help them unlock their potential. 

Williams added: “The impact of this project has made me way more confident in speaking to people.

“Ever since I joined the project, I have been wanting to do marine biology in the future.”

National Lottery players have contributed over £3 billion to projects that support children and young people in the last 10 years within the arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport, and voluntary projects across the UK; see the difference it’s making near you at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk