The Yorkshire Land Network, a renowned group of organisations dedicated to promoting and preserving the natural beauty of Yorkshire's countryside, has taken a significant step in helping foster responsible outdoor behaviour. In their latest endeavour, their young rangers have embarked on creating a witty and educational video focused on The Countryside Code.
This stylistic film features young rangers from each organisation as they discover outdoors misbehaviour in a tongue-in-cheek way.
The Countryside Code serves as a vital guide for responsible and respectful behaviour when exploring rural areas. It emphasises the importance of leaving no trace, by taking litter with you and disposing of it properly. It encourages visitors to protect wildlife and livestock, clean up after their dogs, park responsibly and respect property and wildlife. By adhering to The Countryside Code, we can preserve the beauty and tranquillity of our landscapes for everyone to enjoy.
Ed Woollard, Head of Recreation at Forestry England Yorkshire says, "A huge amount of effort is put into protecting and maintaining our nation's forests for people, wildlife and climate. The Countryside Code reminds us of our responsibility to preserve the wonders of our natural landscapes and we have been delighted to work alongside colleagues in the Yorkshire Land Network to produce what we hope is a fun and inspiring video which demonstrates its importance."
Mike Innerdale, Regional Director for the National Trust in the North, says “We want people to come and enjoy the beauty of Yorkshire, but we can all do our bit to ensure we leave no trace whilst enjoying a day out in the countryside. The film helps to share important messages from the countryside code in a lighter, more tongue in cheek way - we know it can feel daunting at times to know how to do the right thing so we hope this guide will inspire people to make a difference and change behaviour.”
The video is available here – https://youtu.be/aRbMFcbERRw
Find our more information about The Countryside Code.
Notes to editor
- The Yorkshire Land Network is a platform that brings together organisations passionate about land-related activities in the Yorkshire region. It fosters collaborative knowledge sharing, sustainable land management practices, and creates lasting partnerships to nurture our environment and promote rural development.
- Forestry England manages and cares for the nation’s 1,500 woods and forests, with over 363 million visits per year. As England’s largest land manager, we shape landscapes and enhance forests for people to enjoy, wildlife to flourish and businesses to grow.
- The North York Moors National Park is a stunning landscape of moorland, ancient woodland, and historic sites. Established in 1952, it's Britain's sixth national park, spanning 554 sq. miles with 26 miles of coastline, national nature reserves, Scheduled Monuments and listed buildings, welcoming 7.7 million visitors annually.
- Founded in 1895, the National Trust is a conservation charity dedicated to preserving our nation's heritage and open spaces. With over 120 years of commitment, the Trust cares for over 250,000 hectares of countryside, 778 miles of coastline, and numerous special places across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. With millions of visitors, 5 million members, and a dedicated volunteer base of over 65,000, the National Trust works tirelessly to protect and maintain these treasures for future generations to enjoy.
- Yorkshire Water manages water supply for over 5 million people in the region. With an extensive network of treatment works, reservoirs, and mains, they ensure efficient water distribution. Investing £3.8 billion between 2015 and 2020, Yorkshire Water supports the local economy. As the second largest landowner in Yorkshire with 80,000 acres of land, their vision is to sustainably care for the water environment.
- The Howardian Hills AONB covers 204 sq km of North Yorkshire. Nestled between the North York Moors, Yorkshire Wolds, and Vale of York, it boasts captivating landscapes—rolling countryside, woodlands, scenic villages, and historic country houses. Designated in 1987, it's managed by a small staff team for conservation and enhancement.
- The CLA champions and protects the rural economy, environment, and way of life. With 116 years of experience, they represent members who own or manage half of England and Wales' rural land. Their expertise allows them to shape policies and advocate effectively.
- Since 1972, the Woodland Trust has been the UK's largest woodland conservation charity. With over 1,000 sites spanning 29,000 hectares, its mission is to create a UK abundant in native woods and trees, benefiting both people and wildlife. The Trust focuses on three core objectives: protecting rare and irreplaceable ancient woodland, restoring damaged ancient woodland to revive our natural history, and planting native trees to foster resilient landscapes for the future.
For media and image enquiries, please contact:
Jody Craddock – jody.craddock@forestryengland.uk
Nina Beadle – press@northyorkmoors.org.uk