Current projects

All sorts of projects are eligible for funding from the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). The common thread, however, is that they must demonstrate ‘sustainability’. This means that we want to encourage projects that will benefit the environment and communities and the local economy at the same time.

Projects can be local to one area of the National Park, they can apply across the whole area or they can develop links with areas outside the National Park boundary such as cities and towns. We will consider projects from outside the National Park provided that they can show a clear benefit to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Below are details of some of the projects that have received funding to date:

Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust: Brown Trout Project

Brown trout populations in the river Ure seem to have been severely reduced over the last few decades.  Several factors have been blamed for this including drainage channels on the moorlands (grips) altering water flows through fine sediment delivery and phosphate inputs to climate change.  To date, no direct evidence has been gathered to either prove this or ascertain which factors are most important in the deterioration of brown trout populations.  The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Durham University have now commissioned a three year project, with funding from SDF and the Environment Agency, to assess brown trout stocks throughout the tributaries of the upper Ure.  The project involves computer modelling of land use to assess areas of risk that may be delivering pollutants to the river, modelling of altered water flows and direct water quality measurements.

In order to ensure the modelling and sampling is credible, brown trout stocks in the tributaries are being measured in order to gain knowledge of relative abundance throughout the catchment.  This is being done through electro-fishing surveys that involve an electric current being passed through the water which then attracts or stuns the fish allowing them to be collected and counted before release.  The method poses no long term damage to the trout.  Surveys began last summer and will continue in the summer of 2008.  Anyone interested in the project can email David Higgins from Durham University for further information.  Alternatively, if you see a group of three or more people wading in the tributaries carrying nets and probes, head over for a chat!  The surveys rely on a team of volunteers so there is an opportunity to become involved which would only take a small commitment for those interested.

Dales Biomass Facilitation Service

From January 2007, Yorwoods (www.yorwoods.org.uk) is running a biomass development project in the Nidderdale Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, with the support of the National Park and Nidderdale AONB, SDF and Forestry Commission England.  The aim of the project is to develop biomass as a renewable energy source amongst rural communities and to provide market opportunities for local woodlands.  This will generate a wide range of benefits in terms of improved biodiversity, landscape and access within sustainably managed woodlands in the Dales, as well as a number of jobs throughout the supply chain and reduced carbon emissions in the region.

To date, the project is leading on a number of small and medium size wood heating schemes in Nidderdale and has given advice to a number of businesses in the National Park providing both pre and full feasibility assistance.  Contact has been made with fuel supply businesses and woodland owners and the engagement of other key partners is being developed.  

For further information contact Andrew or Will at Yorwoods by telephone on 01765 609355 or by email to andrew@yorwoods.org.uk.

Bio-fuel Project

A bio-diesel community co-operative project in Clapham, funded by SDF, has received a Social Enterprise Innovation award for the Yorkshire & Humber region.  Special pumps based at the organic nursery, Growing with Grace, use refined vegetable oil, of the type used in fish and chip shops, to turn it into fuel for diesel cars.  The nursery is a member of the relatively new Clapham Community Co-operative which set the scheme up.  

Neil Marshall, one of the co-founders of Growing with Grace, said the scheme was a success.  “There are about 50 members of the co-operative and more than half are regularly using the diesel in their cars.”

800 litres a month are currently being manufactured, with room for expansion to 2,000 litres.  The complex refining process involves a number of stages, including heating, filtering, adding solutions, chemical testing and removing fine water particles.  It is classed as carbon-neutral and takes credit from the fact that it is a non-fossil fuel.

Eddy Leggett, Co-operative Chairman, said the Co-operative receives about 500 litres a month locally and a bit more from elsewhere to keep up demand.  As locally produced waste vegetable oil is of a better quality than the bulk waste oil they purchase, the Co-operative is appealing to local establishments for supplies.  Mr Leggett said “Not only is local waste oil of better quality and easier to process, but it cuts down on transportation and adds to the carbon neutrality of the project”.  Anyone able to provide waste vegetable oil can contact Mr Leggett on 015242 51030 or through Growing with Grace on 015242 51723.

Howgill Throws

The Sustainable Development Fund has assisted Laura Rosenzweig to produce high quality woven products from locally produced wool.  

Six farmers in Garsdale, Dentdale and Deepdale are providing Bluefaced Leicester fleece which is spun into a fine weight weaving yarn and woven by Laura into beautiful throws and scarves on a Victorian-era Dobcross loom at Farfield Mill near Sedbergh.  The project offers a valued income for the local farmers who currently get very little return from their fleeces.

Based on the success of the initial run, it is hoped that an annual production cycle can be developed producing limited edition throws and scarves that visitors to the western Yorkshire Dales will associate with quality, value for money and the Dales landscape.  For more details see www.laurasloom.co.uk.

Yorkshire Dales Songlines

Sing while you enjoy!  The Yorkshire Dales Songlines project is a community singing project using the natural and built environment of the National Park as inspiration.  A varied programme of events will take place from August 2008 until July 2009 for those who want to combine singing, walking, cycling and appreciating the special beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.  

Singing activities include Haytime Harmony walks through Dales’ hay meadows, singing songs on the Settle-Carlisle railway line about the building of the famous line and the “Singing Cyclists” weekend – sing your way downhill!  View the whole programme on our Songlines Festival page.

The project combines understanding and enjoyment of the Dales with awareness of sustainable living.  Emphasis is placed on offering “green” accommodation for visitors and lift sharing to create greater awareness of sustainable practices such as recycling, composting and energy reduction measures.  

Ingleborough Pony

The Ingleborough Pony is an experimental new Sunday bus service, run by Natural England, the Dales and Bowland Community Interest Company and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.  It will operate from 27 July to 28 September, including August bank holiday.

It aims to reduce the number of cars in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and help visitors minimise their impact on the environment.  The service is perfect for people wanting to leave the car at home as it links up with the Settle to Carlisle Railway Line at Ribblehead and Clapham Station on the Morecambe line.  Motorists can still take advantage of the service, as the Ingleborough Pony will stop at car parks along the south of the A65, providing a service especially for walkers wanting to visit the Ingleborough National Nature Reserve.

The 16 seat bus follows a 30 mile route with stops including the White Scar Caves, Clapham Village and Helwith Bridge.  Fares have been priced to encourage people out of their cars at a time of rising fuel costs.  A single journey is just £1, with children half price.  Seniors with an all-England concessionary travel pass can travel free of charge.

Buses run four times a day and are timed to meet specific trains at railway stations along the route.  The bus time table can be accessed at the Dales Bus website (on the home page click ‘Summer Buses’ and then click ‘Ingleborough Pony  888’).  A folded A3 leaflet is available from tourist information centres, with a detailed map of the National Nature Reserve and the surrounding area, promoting sustainable access and travel.