Sam Barker

What do you love about Exmoor?

Exmoor has a variety of wonderful habitats in a relatively small land area.  I love the contrast between the bleak moorland of Prayway Head, the lush woodlands around Horner and the rugged coastline on the northern border of the national park.  Exmoor has a stunning and diverse flora and fauna, whenever you go out you never know what you might see!

What is one issue or topic you care about?

I am very interested in the relationship between people and the environment.  I think that working alongside landowners to ensure there is a balance between the needs of people and nature is essential.  I believe that it is possible to improve the natural world whilst still ensuring that the people who live and work in the national park have everything that they need.

Can you share a nature-based moment in your life that is memorable to you?

There are far too many!  In 2024, I spent many hours watching a fox den in the heart of Exmoor.  I got to watch the cubs grow up and experience the outside world for the first time.  Seeing new life on the moor was a very special experience and one I certainly won’t forget.

What do you hope to see/do/change in your role on the Youth Board?

I think that now, more than ever, is the time to advocate for real youth representation across the national parks.  I aspire to work with the other members of our youth voice board, as well as other youth boards across the UK’s national parks, to promote youth voice and engagement with the environment and our national parks.  I hope that the national parks youth voice can set an example that other industries could look to follow in the future to improve youth voice across a range of situations, topics and areas