NATIONAL PARK PIONEERS CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERING IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

The Campaign for National Parks (1) hosted an event in the Peak District this weekend, to thank volunteer "Community Champions" who promote the National Parks in ethnic minority communities across the country as part of the Mosaic project (2). Over 50 volunteers from diverse backgrounds gathered at Ilam YHA to celebrate these National Park pioneers' time and commitment, and also to enjoy a taste of the range of activities on offer in the National Parks.

The Community Champions embraced the event's theme of volunteering and gave back to the National Park by undertaking practical moorland conservation work, as well as gardening in the grounds of Ilam Hall. The Champions also enjoyed mountain biking, bird watching, a taste of forest schools, a navigation workshop and a farm visit, among many activities on offer over the weekend. 

On Friday evening Peak District National Park Authority Chair Narendra Bajaria, CBE, welcomed the delegates. He said: "I am proud that the Peak District, along with all other English National Parks, is actively involved in this project.  

"Now, more than ever, it is important for National Parks to reach out to surrounding communities and foster effective close links between urban and rural communities. National Parks are there to be enjoyed for their beauty, tranquility and recreational opportunities and must therefore remain accessible to all.”  

The YHA's (3) Chief Executive Caroline White then welcomed the group to Ilam YHA, thanking the Community Champions for their work "promoting the YHA as an affordable, friendly and flexible place to stay in the National Parks" and reminding delegates that "the YHA is all about diverse groups of people meeting and sharing experiences." 

Community Champion Pritin Patel, who recently joined the Mosaic project, commented that "it's amazing to see so many different people from diverse backgrounds here, all with the same passion for National Parks and commitment to bringing their communities into these beautiful places."  

Sajida Bashir (pictured), said: "I really enjoyed the practical conservation work. To begin with, it seemed like a massive piece of work but then when we got into groups and started cutting down trees it was incredibly fun and satisfying because we were all working together. In the end, when we could see everything we had done, the sense of achievement was massive." 

For many of the Community Champions, the Mosaic project is providing a first insight to the National Parks and the variety of fantastic activities and volunteering opportunities available in these spectacular landscapes. The weekend provided both a personal challenge, and inspiration about the physical and mental health benefits that the National Parks can offer to urban communities.    

The Mosaic project is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature (4) as a part of the Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme. 

ENDS  

Photos available on request.  

For further information, please contact:

Nina Arwitz, Mosaic Programme Manager, Campaign for National Parks: 020 7924 4077 ext 227. 

Notes to editors 

(1) The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and enjoyment of all (http://www.cnp.org.uk/).  

(2) Mosaic is a partnership between the Campaign for National Parks, the Youth Hostels Association and 10 National Park Authorities in England (http://www.mosaicnationalparks.org/). Mosaic is funded by Access to Nature, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra and the partners themselves.  

(3) The Youth Hostels Association runs 222 accommodation sites across England and Wales, 87 of which are in a National Park, and provides over 2 million overnight stays for members and guests each year.  

(4) Access to Nature is run by Natural England and is part of The Big Lottery Fund's Changing Spaces programme launched in November 2005 to help communities enjoy and improve their local environments. Natural England manages this £25 million Lottery-funded programme on behalf of a consortium of twelve national environmental organisations comprising BTCV, British Waterways, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Greenspace, Groundwork UK, Land Restoration Trust, The National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and the Woodland Trust. Through this programme, it is Natural England's ambition to create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to have greater access to our natural environment and bring a lasting change to their awareness and understanding as well as improved links to the natural world, which many of us can take for granted. For further information about Access to Nature visit www.naturalengland.org.uk/accesstonature. For further information about the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. 

Location: Peak District
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Mosaic Annual Event in the Peak District

Follow a group of Community Champions on a bike ride in the glorious Peak District

www.youtube.com/watch 

Location: Peak District
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Rain doesn’t dampen the spirits of National Park ‘Young Champions’

A team of 30 youngsters braved the elements this weekend to complete three days of challenge and personal discovery on the wild open spaces of Dartmoor.  Returning back to their homes yesterday the group were full of enthusiasm despite having had to contend with the battering wind and rain.  Organised by the Campaign for National Parks, as part of their Mosaic Programme the weekend aimed to bring young people together to demonstrate how National Parks can be used to help develop life skills and build leadership qualities in a unique outdoors environment.

Most of the young people, all of whom came from urban backgrounds in Plymouth and Exeter, had never stepped foot in a National Park before – but all agreed that they wanted to return to Dartmoor as soon as possible, and tell their friends all about it.  One of the young people attending was Irene Nava (17) from Plymouth, who was left ‘speechless’ by her first encounter with Dartmoor. 

During the weekend, which took place at Bracken Tor YHA near Okehampton, the young people (aged 16-25) explored Dartmoor on foot, through pony trekking and by trying out new activities such as archery and gorge scrambling!  For many of the young people this was the first time that they had tried their hand at these types of activities and for some it was a big challenge – out of their comfort zone.  

‘I enjoyed the opportunity to ride a horse, as I’ve never done it before’ Aimee Pearce (17) from Devonport, Plymouth remarked.  Ellen Smith (19) also from Plymouth added, ‘It was great to interact with young people I wouldn’t usually meet and to be out of my normal environment’.

The young people also spent time getting to know more about the fragile landscape and the hard work involved in protecting it as they carried out a conservation task with Dartmoor National Park Ranger Ian Brooker.  ‘Clearing away gorse that was growing on important archeologically sites has given the young people a great experience and has taught them a lot about Dartmoor, as well as contributing to the conservation of the Park’ highlighted Naomi Copestake, who is a Youth Worker with Mount Wise Youth and Community Project in Plymouth.

The weekend, hosted by Okehampton YHA, and sponsored by Dartmoor National Park Authority, brought together young people from Mount Wise Youth Project, Open space International Club, the Ivy Project, Plymouth V Team, SWITCH and New Frontiers 3.  

Summarising the initiative, Maurice Retallick, spoke on behalf of the Dartmoor National Park Authority: ‘The Authority is fully behind the work of the Mosaic Young Champions. We are so proud of their efforts in promoting Dartmoor.  It is great to see the young people exploring this special landscape and learning about the farming and animals on the moors.  We would like to expand this work because Dartmoor is for everyone and it is vital that we work together to protect the special place that it is’. 

To interview a ‘Young Champion’ or to learn more about the Mosaic project contact:

David Rolls (Mosaic Officer), 0793 509 9462, david@cnp.org.uk

Nina Arwitz (Mosaic Programme Manager), 020 7924 4077 ext 227, nina@cnp.org.uk  

For media enquiries contact:

Jo Hall (Communications Manager), 020 7924 4077 ext 224 / 0781 758 2488, jo@cnp.org.uk

Notes to Editors 

· In 2011 the Campaign for National Parks will celebrate 75 years of working to protect and promote the National Parks of England and Wales. Today the charity is the lead player in safeguarding these iconic landscapes for future generations to enjoy.  For further information about the Campaign for National Parks visit www.cnp.org.uk

· Mosaic is led by the Campaign for National Parks, in partnership with the Youth Hostels Association and nine National Park Authorities in England.  For more information about Mosaic visit www.mosaicnationalparks.org

Location: Dartmoor
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