New Environmentalists Working Together (NEWTs) Group
NEWTs (New Environmentalists Working Together) provides a strong voice for young people and early career professionals with the TVNP
The group supports pathways into skills, careers and leadership linked to nature, environment and place – helping to build the regions future workforce.
Members connect with a growing network of individuals and organisations, creating opportunities to learn, collaborate and gain experience across the sector. NEWTs is opening up access to environmental careers and supplying the next generation of leaders.
By investing in people as well as place, NEWTs is helping to shape a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready Tees Valley.
Strategic Leads
Beka Lee
New Environmentalists Working Together Chair
Beka Lee is a Park and Garden Coordinator with over 15 years’ experience in the environmental sector. Starting as an apprentice Ranger, Beka has worked across some of Tees Valley’s most iconic historic parks and now manages 110 acres of parkland and a walled garden at Preston Park. A strong advocate for apprenticeships and environmental education, Beka is passionate about creating new pathways and opportunities for young people entering environmental careers.
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Championing early-career pathways, skills development, and access to opportunities.
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Creating meaningful connections between young people, employers, academia, and delivery organisations.
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Supporting inclusive engagement with education providers and community networks.
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Acting as a regional voice for future workforce and talent needs in the nature and green economy.
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Informing the Partnership’s long-term strategy from an early-career perspective.
Key Responsibilities:
Our aims for this year:
Ensure the environmental sector is actively supported and represented within the evolving public health agenda in the Tees Valley. This will include articulating five key evidence bases that demonstrate how access to, and engagement with, nature improves health and wellbeing outcomes.
Identify, document, and promote case studies and exemplar projects from across the Tees Valley that demonstrate the positive impact of nature-based interventions on health and wellbeing. These will be compiled into accessible, evidence-informed materials to influence both policy and practice.
Strengthen communication and coordination across key regional initiatives — particularly TUNN (Tees Urban Nature Network) and GCNE (Green Communities North East). Regular updates will be shared via email and through existing networks to ensure alignment and maximise collective impact.
Become a member of the NEWTs Group
Membership of the New Environmentalists Working Together Group is open to professionals, practitioners, and partners committed to advancing nature recovery within the Tees Valley.
All participants are required to be members of the Tees Valley Nature Partnership (TVNP) to ensure shared accountability and alignment with the partnership’s wider strategic goals.