A new exhibition featuring work created by local young people committed to tackling climate change opens at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon this week.

The exhibition has been co-curated with local charity, Earth Action North Devon, formerly Plastic Free North Devon. The charity sets out to protect and improve the environment through community-led action, and the exhibition showcases the creations of students enrolled on their pioneering Ocean Explorer education programme.

Since 2022, the Ocean Explorer programme has taken local young people to stunning local sites like Croyde beach, Lee Bay, Chapel Wood and Woolacombe Down, connecting them with nature in an immersive, fun and exploratory way. It’s a programme that aims to inspire and empower the next generation of change-makers.

Since the programme’s inception, students have explored everything from mindful sketching and species surveys, to making habitat boxes, dry stone walling, and even investigating the fast fashion industry.

Outraged at the huge amount of tent waste at local campsites, these local young people have produced fascinating upcycled items, including a model sailboat, an artists’ canvas, a dog coat, lanterns, bags and a kite, and their creations, including photographs and sketchbooks, are full of passion. They’ve appeared in the local press and have already helped students to leverage positive climate action in their homes, schools and communities.

Alison Mills, Director of the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, said: “The museum’s Community Gallery is a temporary exhibition space dedicated to exhibitions by local people, community groups and businesses, and it’s an honour to have been able to work with Earth Action North Devon on this exhibition. It’s even more of an honour to be able to showcase the creative ideas and solutions of young people living locally who are dedicated to tackling climate change.

“We hope as many people as possible will be able to visit and be inspired by the passion of North Devon’s young environmental stewards. After all, our future depends on it!”

Earth Action North Devon: Explorers Create! opens in the museum’s Community Gallery with an introductory talk by representatives from the charity on Saturday 11 October, from 2pm to 4pm.

The exhibition runs until 22 November. The Museum is open Monday to Saturday from10am to 4.30pm. There’s no need to book in advance and entrance is free.