Turning Aspirations Into Action

As we reflect on 2024, it’s clear it was a transformative year for the Trust.

Building on our ongoing work, we made great strides toward our goal of improving the health of people and nature. With a range of new projects launched, we have begun turning our aspirations into action.

We also cultivated new partnerships and connections, sparking exciting collaborations that have unlocked innovative ideas and funding opportunities to power our work.

2024 truly felt like a milestone year for the Trust — a year of growth and maturity, a “coming of age”.

As we step into 2025, we are ready to keep pushing boundaries, breaking new ground and delivering meaningful impact for people, landscapes and communities in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire and Teesside.

Our newsletters will keep you updated on key moments, sharing the highlights of our work to keep you informed and inspired.

James Metcalfe

North York Moors Trust

Nature Connection Project Boosts Men’s Mental Health on Teesside

Piloted between April and October 2024, Trust Treks aimed to support and improve the physical and mental health of men on Teesside by connecting them with nature in the North York Moors National Park and on Teesside.

Using nature as a tool for wellbeing, the North York Moors Trust led targeted guided walks and nature-based activities for men attending #ANDYSMANCLUB in Middlesbrough.

Participants reported improved physical and mental health, reduced isolation, increased regular physical activity, and a greater connection with nature.

The project highlighted the importance of nature-based interventions for health, the power of bringing people together in natural spaces to combat social isolation and loneliness and the role of technology in enhancing experiences and noticing nature. ?

The pilot project was funded by the Tees Foundation, You've Got This (a Sport England Place Partnership) and Everyone Active - SLM .

You can read the report and case study from the pilot on the Trust's website.

Growing Up Well With Nature

The North York Moors Trust launched Stepping Stones to Nature, a project aimed at supporting children in some of the most deprived communities on Teesside to grow up well through a connection with nature.

Starting in April 2024, the project has engaged 80 children in Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland, through hands-on activities like tree identification, shelter building, and natural dye making.

These sessions are tailored to support children’s health, development and learning, nurture a love of nature, provide visits to the National Park, and enrich the school curriculum. ?

The project was developed by the Trust and is being delivered on the Trusts behalf by Sylvan Lore. The project was funded in 2024 by Ryedale and Whitby NFU Mutual , through the Agency Giving Fund.

An impact report from the project will be released in early 2025.

North Yorkshire’s First Nature Prescription

The North York Moors Trust, in partnership with the North York Moors National Park , Yorkshire Dales National Park and RSPB , delivered North Yorkshire’s first Nature Prescription.

Drawing on RSPB’s successful pilot with NHS Scotland, the initiative aims to improve mental health through nature-based activities.

Two bespoke nature prescription calendars were designed for the county (YDNPA releasing their own). Over 1,300 seasonal calendars were distributed to GPs and social prescribers across eight primary care networks in the North York Moors National Park and surrounding areas, including Scarborough and Northallerton.

Training was provided to GPs, health professionals and social prescribers on how to guide patients through simple, accessible nature-based activities that enhance health and wellbeing, with prescriptions beginning in summer 2024.

Our part of the project was funded by Skipton-based business Beyondly through their Fund for Change.

A short report on our initial findings is set for release in 2025.

You can read about the project in the Yorkshire Post.

Soaring To New Heights

Now in its second year, the Birds on the Edge project made significant progress in supporting people and nature to thrive in the North York Moors and surrounding areas, enhancing habitats and engaging communities.

In 2024, seven ponds and drinking pools were restored or created in locations such as Appleton-le-Moors, Lockton, and Newton-upon-Rawcliffe, with an additional 11 planned for 2025 in areas like Dalby, Cropton and Scackleton.

The project also engaged children and young people in nature through conservation, recreation, education, and art.

Work continued for a second year with students at attending Scarborough Pupil Referral Service, engaging them in activities such as habitat management, bird box building, and creative workshops.

With additional funding from the Woodsmith Foundation , the young people collaborated with artists to design and create project-inspired skateboards, which featured in the Birds on the Edge exhibition at the InspiredBy Gallery. The exhibition attracted 13,700 visitors between July and September 2024.

A total of 286 pupils from 10 primary schools took part in the Harry Spotter Challenge, which included bird monitoring activities and materials to create bird feeding stations.

The year also saw the first Birds on the Edge family residential and conservation days, offering children and parents the chance to connect with nature and learn about conserving habitats for red-list bird species. It was amazing to see the historic dew pond we lovingly restored in Newton-on-Rawcliffe being utilised as an educational resource to teach the next generation about the importance of conservation, the challenges target bird species face and what we can all do to help them.

In January 2024, Castle Howard hosted the Doodle a Dove competition sponsored by Leica UK. The event celebrated artistic doodles submitted by the public, with ornithologist and TV presenter Iolo Williams as guest speaker.

It was a busy year with many positive outcomes, and there’s certainly much more to follow in 2025.

Birds on the Edge is a four-year The National Lottery Heritage Fund ed project led by the North York Moors Trust in partnership with North York Moors National Park , ARCADE , Forestry England , North Yorkshire Council , Yorkshire Water , and the Howardian Hills National Landscape.