⚠️ Archived Content
This page relates to the 2019–2024 National Park Management Plan, which is now archived. For the latest aims and objectives, please visit the 2025–30 Management Plan landing page.
Give people from all backgrounds an opportunity to enjoy and contribute to the National Park by providing at least 7,000 volunteer days per year, with 15% coming from under-represented groups.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: 5,565 days of volunteering were undertaken in the National Park in 2024/25, through the National Park Authority’s ‘Dales Volunteers’ and a range of other local and visitor groups. 26% of those days came from under-represented groups.
Almost 35,500 volunteer days have been provided by the National Park Authority and local partners over the past 6 years.
Press releases & related articles:
27 April 2021 – Dave ‘with Carol’ as he fixes path
Rationale: The input of volunteers is critical to achieving many of the other objectives of the National Park Management Plan, and to the work of many local organisations. This objective would increase levels of volunteering (currently 5,500 days per year) in line with the increase in the size of the National Park, and with a higher percentage coming from under-represented groups.
Lead partner: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust; National Trust
Further information: YDNPA – Volunteering with us
Cost over 5 years: £1,000,000
Funding shortfall: None
Related objectives: B1; B4; B5; C2; D2
Ecosystem services: Recreation; Sense of place and inspiration; Sense of history; Biodiversity.
Trade-offs: None
Baseline: 7,001 days provided in 2017/18, of which 1,212 days (17%) from under-represented groups
‘State of the Park’ indicator – YES