The North York Moors National Park Authority is proud to be a part of Generation Green 2, a £4.5 million initiative aimed at helping more than 25,000 young people from England’s most disadvantaged communities forge lasting connections with nature.
Launched earlier this year, the project seeks to deliver more than 41,500 experiences in some of the nation’s most stunning areas, including National Parks, National Landscapes and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Bridging the gap in access to nature
Generation Green 2 responds to alarming disparities in access to green spaces in England.
Nearly half of the country’s most deprived areas are located more than 15 miles away from a National Park, and 18% of children in these areas never experience any form of natural space. This initiative aims to close this gap, bringing children closer to nature through residential trips, farm visits, star-gazing experiences and outdoor exploration.
The project is delivered by Access Unlimited (AU), a coalition of 24 organisations, including National Parks England, the YHA, The Outward Bound Trust and Scouts. By providing young people with hands-on experiences in the countryside, Generation Green 2 helps foster a lifelong appreciation for the environment, enhancing both mental and physical wellbeing. These experiences are critical in an era of biodiversity loss and environmental challenges, encouraging the next generation to become stewards of the natural world.
Delivery of Generation Green 2 began in spring this year and has so far enabled almost 6,000 young people to take part in experiences across England.
In the North York Moors National Park, Generation Green 2 will enable:
- More than 200 children to enjoy astronomy experiences and nights under the stars
- Over 50 children to visit Botton Village to learn about food production
- 800 visits to Danby Lodge National Park Centre to experience both woodland and moorland habitats
- Over 160 children to experience one-night residentials at Boggle Hole YHA and East Barnby Outdoor Centre
Heather McNiff, Head of Education and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“By immersing children in the beauty of the North York Moors, we’re aiming to foster a sense of wonder, responsibility and belonging that we hope will last a lifetime. These experiences can ignite a passion for the outdoors and inspire the next generation to care for our environment.”
Building on success
Generation Green 2 builds on the achievements of its predecessor, Generation Green, which also worked to address key issues of social inequality in accessing nature. This previous project created new apprenticeships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities, and an independent evaluation by the University of Derby confirmed significant positive impacts on young participants’ connection to nature. Similar research is underway for Generation Green 2 to measure its success.
Generation Green 2 is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It aligns with the recommendations of the 2019 Landscapes Review by Julian Glover, which emphasised the need for more inclusive access to England’s protected landscapes.
Jayne Butler, Executive Director of National Parks England, said:
“National Parks are critical to providing access to green spaces for the nation, and we are delighted that through Generation Green 2, thousands of young people will have the chance to connect with nature in our spectacular landscapes.”
For more information about Generation Green 2, visit www.yha.org.uk/generationgreen
ENDS
Notes to Editors
This is a 12-month project that builds on the success of the first phase of Generation Green, delivered in 2021/22.
The first phase of Generation Green connected young people to nature, created and saved jobs, and helped build an aspirant workforce for a green recovery post Covid pandemic.
This project aims to connect young people who live in areas of social disadvantage in England with nature in a protected landscape and is funded by Defra. The project will fund day visits and overnight experiences for 25,167 young people in National Parks and National Landscapes, providing 41,521 days and nights under the stars.
Discover more at www.yha.org.uk/generationgreen.
About Access Unlimited
The Access Unlimited coalition was formed in December 2019 as a coalition of non-for-profit school residential and educational providers.
The coalition includes YHA (England & Wales), The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council, National Landscapes and the 9 National Parks in England. It is led and managed by YHA (England & Wales).
National Landscapes joined the Access Unlimited coalition in 2023.
Its aim is to ensure that there are opportunities for every child and young person to access high quality learning and residential experiences in our protected landscapes.
Media contacts
Nina Beadle
Communications Office
North York Moors National Park Authority
press@northyorkmoors.org.uk or 01439 772700
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it became Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 8.4 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families.
To view other press releases and for further information about the North York Moors National Park, visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk