She said: “You’ll have to write 500 words-ish on what you’ve done previously to help the environment and nature and animals and why you’re so passionate about it and make a short video explaining your interests about wildlife.”<\/p>\n
The 14-year-olds have been restoring harvest mice to the wild for three years.<\/p>\n
Britain’s smallest rodent – they grow to about 50-70mm – harvest mice tend to live in long grassland, reed beds, hedgerows and around woodland edges.<\/p>\n
The Mammal Society classifies them as Near Threatened across Great Britain as changes to farming and land management have reduced their available habitat.<\/p>\n
Emily said: “It is so worth it in the long run because you are actually doing your part for the wild.<\/p>\n
“It does take responsibility but it is definitely worth the sacrifice.”<\/p>\n
Speaking about managing the mice and other pets, she added: “As long as you keep the mice in a completely separate room, which has happened to mine, that is fine.”<\/p>\n
In June, Chris Packham called the Wild Pets a “truly sensational” idea<\/a> on Springwatch.<\/p>\n He said: “It’s so inspirational when young people make it happen. It’s so, so important.”<\/p>\n Applications can be made via the Wild Pets website, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Devon on X, external<\/a>, Facebook, external<\/a> and Instagram, external<\/a>. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n