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.

Climate change drama for Dales children

About 80 youngsters from primary schools in Upper Wensleydale attended two half-day climate change workshops at the Dales Countryside Museum in October 2007, funded by SDF and North Yorkshire County Council.  The events helped to raise the children’s awareness of climate change and to inspire them to take part and introduce energy-saving activities in their home and school.

The workshops were run by the Liverpool-based Altru Drama Company, which delivered a specially-written play for children to show the effects of climate change and what people could do to lessen its impact.  The drama put across simple messages like turning off taps while brushing their teeth, turning off electrical equipment and stand-by buttons, and using less of everything.  The play was followed by a workshop that involved all the pupils and showed them that they all have a part to play in managing climate change.  The event was a big success and may be rolled out to other parts of the National Park providing funding is available.

York and North Yorkshire Business Environment Forum

Over the past three years funding from the SDF has helped 69 local businesses in the National Park to get advice on how to reduce their environmental impact.  Of these businesses, 45 have undertaken environmental audits.

Laura Backhouse, the Environmental Co-ordinator for the York and North Yorkshire Business Environment Forum, has helped businesses to identify environmental issues including waste, energy, water pollution and legislation to reduce their environmental impact.  Businesses can also benefit from wider forum activities including environmental topic and legislation seminars, network groups and waste exchange.  The project runs until March 2008 and Laura can be contacted by telephoning 01904 554404 or by emailing laurab@4sustainable-energy.co.uk.

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.

Greenbeams

GreenBeams.com is a SDF funded project that provides ready-to-use solid hardwood beams and posts via the internet.  Their brokering service connects buyers with suppliers, promoting and generating the use of local sustainable timber alternatives to steel and concrete.

The project helps address shortages in the sourcing of hardwood timber beams needed in restoration/renovation projects of buildings of architectural importance and listed buildings.   Chunky timber beams of various hardwood types are available to purchase “off the shelf” with a range of moisture contents relating to their time in dry storage.  At present, local timber is effectively felled to order and most available structural hardwood is imported with no attempt at starting the drying process.

The project was set up by well-established Structural and Civil Consultants Ltd of Northallerton, who offer their expertise to architects and developers.  The project should foster the development of a new rural industry by adding value to local hardwood timber that has not previously been able to reach the construction market.

The intention of GreenBeams.com is to become a non-profit making company who will re-invest any profits into fighting global warming.