WEE COUNTY school pupils are gearing up to take part in the fourth edition of an environmental initiative in schools.

The Young Pathfinders programme, now in its fourth year, take high school pupils and lets them undertake a series of activities working on sustainable solutions to real world problems.

The project has proven a big hit over the past three years, allowing students the opportunity to meet scientists at the University of Stirling, take part in a tree-planting initiative and attend a careers fair.

The lucky 31 pupils chosen for the programme, from seven schools in Clackmannanshire and Stirling, met at a launch event in Alloa’s Forth Valley Campus on September 24.

Councillor Fiona Law, spokesperson for environment and net zero for Clacks Council, attended the event, calling on young people to take a forward role in addressing the planet’s climate concerns.

She said: “I am delighted the Young Pathfinders programme has returned for a fourth year and hope all the youngsters taking part in this year’s competition find it challenging, but also interesting and enjoyable.

“We cannot shy away from the need to urgently address climate issues and Clackmannanshire Council is proud to support this initiative which aligns with our own focus on a greener, cleaner future.

“This opportunity will test the young people’s awareness of climate issues, encourage them to devise their own sustainable solutions to environmental problems, and give them skills which I hope they’ll find useful as they take next steps into further and higher education and employment.”

The Young Pathfinders is an education programme led by Scotland’s International Environment Centre (SIEC) at the University of Stirling.

SIEC is funded by major investment delivered through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, which in itself is paid into by the Scottish and UK Governments to fund growth through the region.

Rebecca Pankhurst, SIEC manager at the University of Stirling, added: “The next generation will be impacted by climate change like no other.

“This programme is all about providing hope and skills to young people to ensure they are equipped to support a greener and more sustainable future for their region and beyond.

“This is the fourth year of the Young Pathfinders programme, and it continues to go from strength to strength.

“Each year, we are surprised and delighted by the innovative ways the young people find to address the climate and biodiversity loss crisis.”