1 June 2023
The North York Moors is one of the first National Parks in the UK to receive a grant as a result of a nationwide partnership with BMW. The funding will allow families and young adults to access outdoor volunteering programmes designed especially for their age groups.
BMW UK and National Parks UK have this week announced that the first five locations to benefit from the ‘Recharge in Nature’ project funding are the South Downs, Eryri (previously Snowdonia), North York Moors, Dartmoor and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Before 2025, all 15 of the UK’s National Parks will have received a grant to support the promotion of more sustainable tourism, enhance wellbeing and help restore nature and biodiversity.
In parallel, the partnership is funding improvements to the electric vehicle charging network across UK National Parks.
Heather McNiff, Head of Outdoor Learning and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park, said:
“We run a number of successful youth and family volunteering groups in the North York Moors, however we know we are missing a critical link between those who graduate from these schemes and our adult volunteering programme. We are therefore launching ‘Youth Plus’, which will provide more opportunities for those aged 16 and over to engage with volunteering in the National Park. We will also be encouraging more young people to have their say in decision-making processes around the North York Moors, ensuring that youth voices are heard in important discussions and debate.”
Also included in the first wave of Recharge in Nature projects in 2023 are:
South Downs National Park - Pond restoration will provide an important nature corridor, helping to support an array of wildlife including frogs and toads, dragonflies, hedgehogs and bats. The ponds will also form part of the National Park's ongoing education engagement, bringing visitors to the ponds for learning sessions and helping visitors understand the role of these important habitats for animals and biodiversity in the National Park and surrounding area.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs – Development of a transport project to run over the peak summer months, aimed at providing more sustainable travel options to the National Park, reducing emissions and pressure on local roads, as well as making popular locations more accessible to visitors who don’t have access to a car.
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park – Restoration of natural flood defences to enhance farmland and protect precious rivers, lakes from phosphate pollution.
Dartmoor National Park – Expansion of a youth nature engagement scheme to create the next generation of custodians of Dartmoor.
Chris Brownridge, CEO, BMW UK, commented:
“Sustainability and community are at the heart of our business and, with biodiversity and the health of nature more important than ever, we’re delighted to support a range of local projects within the National Parks, helping preserve these precious landscapes for future generations. The UK’s amazing National Parks are far more than just green spaces, they act as vital hubs for communities as places of learning and wellbeing.”
Naomi Conway, Director, National Parks Partnerships, commented:
“Our partnership with BMW UK is helping the National Parks to be better connected, more biodiverse and increasingly sustainable, benefitting both local communities and tourists. These projects highlight the different ways that National Parks, with the right support, can deliver so much for nature and for people.”
For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature Project visit: bmw.co.uk/nationalparks
ENDS
Notes to editors
Media contact
Nina Beadle
Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority
01439 772577
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 become 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 7.7 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, please visit northyorkmoors.org.uk
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/
About National Parks UK
- There are 15 National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country. 10 in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland.
- National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20 percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
- Each National Park is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own all of the land within the National Park. They are independent bodies funded by central governments to:Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of national parks by the public. - In carrying out these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to foster the economic and social wellbeing of local communities within the National Park.
- National Parks are free to enter and explore and have 104 million visits each year.
- For more information visit www.nationalparks.uk.