Controversial proposals for a major leisure development on wetlands close to the Yorkshire Dales National Park boundary could have a devastating impact on important winter feeding grounds supporting large numbers of wading birds. Executive director of Friends of the Dales, Ann Shadrake finds hope in new legislation that will oblige planners to consider the special … Read more
For several years we have been actively involving young people in our campaigning work, in particular through our Creative Campaigners group open to those aged 20-30, as we are aware that the future sustainability of the Yorkshire Dales will be shaped by the next generation. We are now seeking contributions for the summer 2025 issue … Read more
It’s a fact the UK’s 15 national parks have clearly delineated boundaries, yet the hinterlands of these landscapes need as much protection as the parks themselves, since nature and river catchments do not recognise arbitrary, manmade confines. Planning applications in such fringe areas, especially those on a significant scale, must therefore be reviewed with their … Read more
Question: When did ‘plantations of plastic’ become the accepted way to plant trees, improve wildlife corridors, bolster riverbanks and capture carbon? Answer: In 1979, when plastic tree guards became the widespread means of protecting sapling trees from being eaten by mammals such as deer, squirrels and voles. Prior to this time, nature decided which trees … Read more
This year’s AGM will be held on Saturday 28 September 2024 at Addingham Memorial Hall. We will be offering a short business meeting with a chance for questions afterwards, a complimentary light lunch (donations welcome) and an afternoon guided walk offering the chance to review some of Addingham Environment Group’s conservation and biodiversity projects. All members of Friends … Read more
With the 2024 General Election just a matter of weeks away, it is critical that as many of us as possible use this opportunity to speak up for our National Parks. Despite the National Parks of England and Wales celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, they are under threat like never before with chronic wildlife … Read more
Just imagine the landscapes of Upper Wharfedale and Swaledale with their hundreds of small, isolated field barns being transformed into houses… the whole landscape would be decimated with driveways, parking and connecting roads… In late 2023, we co-signed a letter from the national charity, Campaign for National Parks (CNP) to the Secretary of State for … Read more
In the last 25 years alone (1995-2020) the UK has lost nearly 50% of breeding curlew – with Wales, Northern Ireland and southern lowland England now having almost no breeding curlew left at all. Since the UK is home to about 25% of the entire population of Eurasian curlew, any decline threatens curlew globally, which … Read more
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
We were pleased to see the draft Nature Recovery Plan presented to the National Park Authority at their meeting in September. We have written to David Butterworth, CEO to compliment his staff for their hard work in putting this important document together. We’ve also highlighted areas where the draft plan could be strengthened, for example … Read more