State of the Park

Understanding the state of the National Park is critical to managing it effectively. The Authority and its partners collect and share a range of local information about the current state and issues affecting:

the special qualities of the National Park,
how these special qualities are enjoyed, and by whom,
aspects of the economic and social well-being of Park communities.

This information, which includes the Park Profile is intended to help the Authority, its partners and the public to identify and track changes in the condition of the Park’s special qualities so that we can monitor progress in achieving the aims and objectives set out in the National Park Management Plan.

A number of key 'State of the Park indicators’ have been identified. These measure different elements of the Park's special qualities, and each is linked directly to one of the Management Plan objectives.

Clicking on the links below will allow you to see the latest figures for each of those indicators and, where available, trends over time.

Landscape

L1 Maintain and enhance the quality and distinctive character of the Yorkshire Dales landscape (as measured through the National 'Countryside Quality Counts' indicator
L6 Maintain all nationally important geological sites in 'favourable' condition, and develop a series of Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites by 2009
L7 Maintan the overall tranquillity and sense of remoteness within the National Park, and carry out a re-assessment of levels of tranquillity by 2011.
L9 Use the management and creation of important habitats in the Dales to prevent soil erosion, reduce flood risk and improve water quality and management, particularly along the Rivers Ure, Aire, Swale, Wharfe, Ribble and their tributaries

Access and Recreation

AR1 Manage and improve the network of public rights of way so that 90% are 'easy to use' by 2010, and maintin that level in future years
AR7 Increase the accessibility of the Park to users of all abilities so that by 2010 at least 10km (0.5%) of rights of way are fully accessible by wheelchair users and 105km (5%) by those with limited mobility, and improve opportunities for those with sensory disabilities
AR8 Develop opportunities, including a Park-wide programme of events, walks and other activities that encourage healthy lifestyles and assist in the Government's target of increasing levels of physical activity amongst residents and visitors by 1% per year

Understanding and Enjoyment

UE1 Provide clear and consistent messages about what is special and what people can do to help conserve the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, so that at least 50% of visitors and 70% of residents have an understanding of National Park purposes and/or the speacial qualities of the Yorkshire Dales by 2010
UE3 Make information about the Yorkshire Dales National Park easily accessible and relevant to a diverse range of groups and individuals, focusing on the urban areas of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Teesside that surround it
UE7 Provide people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to make a difference to the long term conservation, enhancement and enjoyment of the National Park and to contribute to personal health and well-being by providing at least 5,000 volunteer days per year by 2009
UE8 Raise awareness of the Yorkshire Dales so that by 2008 at least 10% of people in England and Wales can name it as being a National Park
UE10 Promote environmental awareness amongst tourism businesses and visitors within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, so as to increase the number of businesses offering 'sustainable tourism products' from 25% in 2006 to 50% by 2010

Nature Conservation

NC3 Support good conservation management by farmers and landowners so that:
a) 70% of the area covered by Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats is in favourable condition by 2010
b) at leat 95% of nationally and internationally important wildlife sites are in favourable condition by 2010
NC4 Support farmers and landowners to increase the area of Local Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitats by 7% by 2011
NC5 Ensure that the populations of all Local Biodiversity Action Plan species are stable or increasing by 2010

Historic Environment

HE4 Conserve and enhance the most important buildings and structures in the Park, so that the number of Listed Buildings 'at risk' falls from 5% (90) to no more than 1% (18) by 2020
HE5 Conserve and enhance the most important archaeological sites and features, so that at least 95% of the Scheduled Monuments are in optimal condition by 2020