Voices of young biosphere stewards on the strengths, weaknesses, and ways forward for 74 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves across 83 countries

•Young actors’ perspectives and roles are absent in conservation and sustainability literature.•Importance of sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth in their home territories.•Youth value community participation and wellbeing in addition to biodiversity conservation.•Youth are active stewards in governing bodies, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and education.•Need to investigate pathways for effective involvement of youth in environmental governance.