The Young Conservationists’ Hub will be back at Global Birdfair 2026!

We are very happy to be able to share with you that the Osprey Leadership Foundation (OLF) will be hosting the Young Conservationists’ Hub at the 2026 Global Birdfair. A huge thank you to Global Birdfair for the opportunity to bring young people together at their event again this year.

Global Birdfair will take place on Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2026 in Rutland, UK. You can find out more about the event on the Global Birdfair website here, including opening times, information about camping on site and the free shuttle bus to and from the local train station.  

The Young Conservationists Hub is a platform for the amazing talent and young leaders working in nature conservation. We hope it will inspire other young and aspiring conservationists to follow in their footsteps.  We would like to provide opportunities for young people to connect with peers, get involved in discussions on current conservation themes and gain an insight into what a career in conservation might involve. Events taking place in the hub will have an optimistic focus and highlight what young people can do to make a difference to the world around them. We want the hub to be a vibrant space which showcases the energy and positive impact young people bring to the movement. 

Get involved!
If you are 18-35 and would like to take part by delivering an event in the Young Conservationists Hub we would love to hear from you!

Things to take into consideration when planning your event: 

• All speakers must be aged 18-35 (unless otherwise agreed with OLF). Speakers under 18 are welcome to apply, but will need permission from a parent or carer to take part and will need to be accompanied by their parent/carer at the Young Conservationists Hub. 
• Each event needs to fit within a 45-minute time slot, we will have 15 minutes in which to ensure a smooth changeover between events. 
• We will have a screen for visuals, but please be mindful that the marquee will not be blacked out. Microphones will be provided. There is no Wifi in the hub. (Please note that presentations will need to be sent in advance).  
• If you are organising a panel discussion, your panel should be no more than 4 people in total unless otherwise agreed with the OLF team. Please aim for an equal split male: female, represent a diverse range of perspectives/experiences.
• Please ensure your event has an element of audience participation – encourage questions, plan to include table discussions or similar. 
• We would like all events taking place within the hub to be positive, optimistic, and focus on solutions or how young people can take positive action.

  Payment/Expenses
  OLF is unable to remunerate speakers for their services to the Young Conservationists Hub. We have a limited fund for young people attending Global Birdfair for the sole purpose of delivering an event in the Young Conservationists Hub. This fund is available to help with travel expenses and the cost of one night camping for those who would not otherwise be able to attend. Please email naomi@ospreylf.org to enquire. 

  Entrance Tickets
  Global Birdfair has kindly offered OLF a limited number of complimentary tickets for young people attending the event independently, with the sole purpose of delivering an event in the Young Conservationists Hub. These will be one-day tickets for the day of your event only. Those attending Global Birdfair as an exhibitor, through another organisation or guest speaker for Global Birdfair should already have been given an entry ticket, so we ask you to please not claim an entry ticket from OLF

To help us compile a schedule and plan accordingly, we need details of your event and the speakers involved. (If you are filling out the form on behalf of other speakers, you will need to gather their contact and social media details and a headshot photo). 

Please complete the Google Form below to submit your idea.  You must submit your form by FRIDAY, 27TH FEBRUARY 2026.