Thanks to the newly launched Generation Green 2 project, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has received nearly £50,000 to help 550 young people aged 7-18 to visit the National Park. The project aims to work with those living in some of the most under-served communities in the UK and schools with a pupil premium of 30% or more.
These visits help young people to connect with nature through residential stays, evenings under the stars, farm visits and day visits exploring the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Over 300 young people have already taken part in these activities, with many coming from schools and community groups in urban areas outside of the National Park, including Colne, Leeds, Bradford and Darlington.
The recent residential stay at YHA Malham youth hostel happened to coincide with the unveiling of a blue plaque on the front of the building, celebrating the 75th anniversary of National Parks in the UK, and coinciding with the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s 70th birthday. Both the residential and the plaque unveiling received separate BBC Look North coverage.
It was very special to see the visiting group from St Columba’s Catholic Primary School, Bradford feature on BBC Look North (Tuesday 22 November 2024). Two classes of Year 5 pupils came on the Generation Green 2 residential trip to Malham, organised and hosted by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Learning and Engagement Team and volunteers, providing an opportunity for underserved communities to spend time in one of the Nation’s most beautiful landscapes.
The children spent their first afternoon walking to Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar waterfalls, learning about the area’s geology, geography, local history, and undertaking nature connection activities including a sticky scavenger hunt and writing group poems. On seeing Gordale Scar, one boy said: “Wow! It looks like the Grand Canyon!” Many of the children said they wished to visit again with their families.
Here are some of the group poems written by the children on the day:
Poem 1 – Year 5 Sycamore class
To the North we see nature, trees in the wood, a gate, grass, stones and the sky.
To the East we see broken trees with no leaves, ancient trees, large hills and a stone wall.
To the South we see mossy, hard stone walls, muddy grass and a muddy path.
To the West we see a pile of rocks, rusty farm equipment, nettles, bushes, tall trees at the top of the hill and a stone barn.
Looking Up we see the cloudy, grey-white sky.
Looking Down we see mud, pebbles, grass, muddy boots and shoes and our footprints.
Poem 2 – Year 5 Hawthorn class
To the North we see the blue sky, the steep hills, dazzling trees and the old, ancient barn.
To the East we see the river meandering, the brown telegraph poles, the dry stone walls and some big, grey stones.
To the South we see the moving river, snow on the hills and shadows from the trees.
To the West we see the golden burning sun and fluffy clouds.
The evening started with a torch-lit walk through Malham, including an awe-inspiring moment where all torches were turned off so the children (and staff) could appreciate the famous dark skies of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The group then took a walk through the woods spotting magical-looking fungi, admiring tree silhouettes, and watching illuminated leaves float down Malham Beck. This inspired comments like, “I always act like an explorer in a forest.” The evening ended with an overnight stay at YHA Malham youth hostel which, for some, was their first night away from home and, for most, was their first ever overnight stay in the countryside.
An all-you-can-eat breakfast provided the children an opportunity to think of questions to ask farmers Neil (former Chair and current Member of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority) and Leigh Heseltine about farming in the National Park.
As BBC Look North showed, this visit to Hill Top Farm was another highlight of the trip. The project is designed to help address major inequalities in access to nature by cultivating a wider interest in green spaces among the next generation, fostering lifelong wellbeing benefits among participants and opening up protected landscapes to a broader demographic.
It is hoped that these experiences will help young people connect with nature, cultivate a sense of care for the countryside, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time in the outdoors. And it seems to be working, with quotes like these from the children at the end of the trip:
- “I liked the farm and the chickens. I also liked stroking the cow.”
- “I’d like to see farmer Neil again and get a job there and pet the cows and ride them.”
- “I’d come back because of the mountains, the views, the waterfalls and the sheepdog, Breeze.”
- “I’d like to come back because of the mountains and the rivers and the animals and everything.”
The school kindly feedback that: “Everything was so well organised and you and your volunteers were fantastic with the children. They were still buzzing when we got back to school, and it will be something they will remember for a long time. At home time, I heard several children tell their parents that they would love to go back.”
Generation Green 2 is the second project to be delivered by the Access Unlimited coalition. The coalition comprises YHA (England & Wales) – who are hosting the project on behalf of the partners – The Outward Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council, nine English National Parks, and the National Landscapes Association.
