Call to MPs and Party Leaders

With 2024 marking the 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, along with the promise of Westminster election, Campaign for National Parks (CNP), backed by all the National Park Societies of England (of which Friends of the Dales is one), have written to all party leaders in England to … Read more

Barn Conversion Proposals Threaten National Parks

Dilapidated barn in a field.

We strongly oppose the proposals to relax planning rules for the conversion of existing agricultural buildings, especially barns, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With its hundreds of field barns making a unique contribution to the special and historic landscapes of the national park, these proposals would inevitably negatively impact sustainability objectives and have an adverse impact on … Read more

Creative Campaigning in the Dales

young people stood in a field

We recently launched Creative Campaigners, a new volunteer network for people aged 20-30 who live locally and are interested in actively and creatively contributing to our environmental campaigns. The launch day was held at the end of July in Malham, focussed around a bespoke guided tour of Hill Top Farm with indoor sessions at Malham … Read more

An invitation to organisations to become Community Supporters

People walking in a nature reserve

It is important to us that our Business / Group Membership is as useful as possible to your organisation, to us − and to the Yorkshire Dales, so we have made some exciting changes to it. From 1 April organisations can become Community Supporters, a scheme open to all environmentally minded businesses and ‘not for profits’ to … Read more

Sustainable Farming in the Yorkshire Dales

two people in the distance and a film camera

A brand new short documentary by filmmaker, Ruth Garrett of Kittiwake Productions uncovers how farming can support the environment as well as food production. “All we’re doing is turning solar power into summat to eat…” In the film Yorkshire Dales farmer and former Trustee of Friends of the Dales, Anthony Bradley shares a candid and … Read more

Now is the time to leave a lasting legacy for nature

Friends of the Dales and 47 other environmental and recreation organisations have signed a letter prepared by our colleagues at Campaign for National Parks, calling on the Government to accept amendments to the Levelling Up Bill for greater nature protection in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England. This latest call comes … Read more

Access for all

Access to, in and around the Yorkshire Dales for all, no matter where a person lives or their mobility should be available to everyone. Yet, for many reasons, progress in resolving some of physical and cultural barriers that exist continues to be problematic. Our own policy, entitled Countryside Access states that people have a right … Read more

What does the #AttackOnNature mean for the Yorkshire Dales?

The Government’s recent announcement (threat!) to amend or scrap crucial environmental laws protecting the UK’s most vulnerable wildlife and green places affects all of us. If they come to fruition, the removal of such protections will not only directly and adversely affect nature but will potentially strangle plans for improved carbon capture, compromise food security and … Read more

The National Parks speak with one voice

We were delighted to join an alliance of National Park Societies and campaigning organisations, including Campaign for National Parks (CNP) in a joint Declaration, calling on governments in England and Wales to give Protected Landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) their full backing in legislation. The statement was agreed at the National … Read more