The Limestone Country Project was a partnership involving the European Commission’s Life Fund, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, English Nature (now Natural England), The National Trust, Grazing Animals Project, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, National Beef Association and landowners and the farming community.
Further details of the partner organisations, along with links to their websites are given below:
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) is a government body which has a duty to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park, and foster the economic and social well being of local communities within the National Park.
Natural England (formerly English Nature) is the statutory body which achieves, enables and promotes nature conservation in England. It does this by working in partnership with individuals and a wide range of organisations including Government representative bodies, agencies and voluntary organisations.
The National Trust is one of Europe's leading conservation bodies. It is an independent charity which protects over 248,000 hectares (612,000 acres) of countryside in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as 600 miles of coastline and over 200 outstanding buildings and gardens. Conserving our countryside and heritage and preserving our environment for future generations are central to the Trust's mission.
The Grazing Animals Project (GAP) was formed in 1997 to help deliver biodiversity targets as part of integrated, viable and sustainable grazing systems throughout the UK. GAP conceived and promoted the idea of Local Grazing Schemes (LGS) in which conservation bodies work together with the livestock industry to organise, rationalise and help deliver grazing that will benefit wildlife within a specific locality.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) was founded in 1973 and works together with scientists, volunteers and breed societies to protect and conserve Britain's traditional breeds of farm livestock. It is not supported by Government funding.
National Beef Association (NBA) is an independent body representing the interests of UK beef farmers, and which aims to resolve a broad band of issues of current concern to producers.
The European Union’s Life Fund provides funds for nature conservation work on Europe’s most important wildlife sites, the Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas.
Natura 2000 is a European network of protected sites, which represent areas of the highest value for natural habitats and species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable in the European Community.
