NYMA Conservation Award - win up to £2000! Our Awards support conservation and research in the North York Moors. Applications can be for natural or cultural conservation, or to improve access to our glorious acres. Projects can be at the planning or implementation stage, and applications are welcomed from community groups, students, academics, or amateur researchers. If you've got an idea for a project but you're not sure if it's right, just ask! See below for award winners and contact us here for an application form or for more information.
2023: Awards were made to:
The Friends of Dalby Forest to sponsor a special feature in the unique drystone wall maze in Dalby Forest.
Monitoring equipment to ensure that a 33-year time-series of data relating to water quality in the upper Danby Dale can be continued.
2022: an Award was made towards the cost of creating a raised kerb at Danby Lodge to enable disabled people to use the Moorsbus.
2021: Awards went to:
the Silver Seals group of volunteer rangers, who maintain rights-of-way in the western area of the Moors
Ryedale Bridleways Group for improving gateways for equestrian access in the National Park
Moor Sustainable for running community apple-pressing workshops in the Esk Valley
Esk Valley Camphill Community for their habitat restoration work in Danby Dale.
In 2021 we made awards to the Silver Seals group of volunteer rangers, who maintain rights-of-way in the western area of the Moors, as well as to the Ryedale Bridleways Group for improving gateways for equestrian access in the National Park, to Moor Sustainable for running community apple-pressing workshops in the Esk Valley, and to the Esk Valley Camphill Community for their habitat restoration work in Danby Dale.
The Esk Valley Camphill Community, based in Botton Village and Ainthorpe, creates volunteering opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism. In collaboration with local landowners, the team spent two winters planting micro-woodlands connected by wildlife corridors through meadows managed for wildflowers. Eddie Thornton coordinated the project. “We’re so happy to win this award that recognizes our community’s efforts to turn a little pocket of the North York Moors into a haven for wildlife. It’s been great to work with such progressive landowners, and we hope that others will be inspired by the project. The prize money will go on tools and equipment to allow us to take on more conservation work in the national park.“
President’s Award
Up until 2020 the President’s Award was awarded biennially for research into aspects of the North York Moors or surrounding area, including archaeology, social and economic history or current issues, and the natural or built environment.
Past winners:
2020: Investigation into the history of Beck Hole Ironworks
2018: Thornton-le-Dale, A Village Through Time
2018: 'Wild Flowers of Westerdale', a field study book
2016: Barn Owl and Harvest Mouse Research
2012: Moorland Peat & Vegetation Survey
2010: Archaeology on Fylingdales Moor
2008: Adders and their Habitat
2006: Fylingdales Moorland Bird Study
2004: 'Large Heath' Butterfly Conservation Research
2002: Moorland Bird Study
Conservation Award
Up to 2019 the Conservation Award was awarded biennially for conservation by groups or individuals of the natural or built heritage in the National Park or surrounding area. Past winners:
2019: Whitby Naturalists' Club for the 'Buckthorn for Brimstones' project.
2017: Yorkshire Exmoor Pony Trust
2015: Kirby Trod restoration
2013: Woodside River Corridor, River Esk, Castleton
2011: Creation of wildflower meadow, Robin Hood's Bay
2009: Mortuary Chapel restoration, Egton
2007: Oak tree planting, Oakridge, Staithes
2003: Ice House restoration, Wykeham
2001: Community woodland, Littlebeck
2000: Faceby Village Hall
1999: Farm conservation, West Farm, Sleightholmedale
1998: Dale Head Farm, Tree planting, Westerdale
1997: Wildlife management, Rosedale Intake, Danby