Inspiring action
REConnect is a community engagement project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, based around the River Esk and its coastal streams.
Starting in September 2024 and running for five years, this project’s goal is to ‘REConnect’ people to the beauty of the Esk and its surrounding landscape, creating a deeper bond with nature. Through this project, we also want to help people understand the impact of climate change on the area and inspire them to take action to make a difference.
By encouraging local action, we aim to create lasting environmental improvements and build a stronger, more connected community.
We’re hosting a variety of fun activities and events for residents, visitors, businesses, schools, and more. We offer exciting opportunities to learn about the unique wildlife and habitats around the Esk, create better spaces for nature, and take meaningful action to build climate resilience.
Opportunities to get involved include:
Habitat creation and restoration: Help restore and create vital habitats around the River Esk by participating in activities such as tree planting, hedge laying, invasive non-native species control, and clean-up initiatives.
Hands-on activities: Participate in fun, hands-on activities designed to match your interests, from nature walks and crafts, to music and food-based events.
Protecting dark skies: Learn how reducing light pollution benefits wildlife, improves wellbeing, and helps tackle climate change. Get involved in raising awareness and taking practical action to protect the natural night skies across the Esk catchment and beyond.
Raising climate change awareness: Explore the impacts of climate change in the North York Moors, understand how it’s affecting the region and learn what you can do to reduce its impact.
Take community action: Take action to improve the local environment by joining our citizen science programme to help monitor the health of the river, our coastal streams, and the surrounding areas.
REConnect will encourage individuals of all ages to take an active role, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for their local landscapes.
To learn more about the project or how to get involved, contact us at reconnect@northyorkmoors.org.uk or scroll down to book on to one of our public events!
Our Partners
Working together, the North York Moors National Park Authority, Groundwork NE & Cumbria, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership will deliver educational programmes, volunteering opportunities, and sustainable tourism initiatives.
Whitby, Scarborough & Ryedale DAG will play a crucial role in ensuring that the project’s events and activities are as accessible as possible, enabling a diverse range of people to get involved. York St. John University will act as the internal evaluators, ensuring the project evolves over its five-year duration based on ongoing community feedback and input.
Catchment area
The River Esk flows through a patchwork of heather moorland, mixed woodland and farmland before meeting the sea at Whitby estuary. The catchment also encompasses multiple coastal streams including Sandsend, Eastrow and Staithes Beck.
The Esk is North Yorkshire’s only principal Atlantic salmon river and more crucially supports a small and endangered population of freshwater pearl mussels – the last remaining in Yorkshire and a big focus for the catchment.
Join us for a range of exciting activities and events that celebrate our connection to nature and the remarkable wildlife and habitats around us.
River Esk Connect (REConnect) is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
