Major nature programme seeking youth voice for board

Two Protected Landscape bodies working together on a major nature recovery and public access programme are looking to recruit a young person as a board member to help oversee the work over a two-year period.

The North Pennines AONB Partnership and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority are working together to deliver ‘Tees-Swale: naturally connected’, a natural heritage programme that puts farmers at the forefront of nature recovery in the nationally important landscapes of Teesdale and Swaledale.

The two organisations are looking for a Youth Board Member who will play an essential role in helping to oversee the governance of the programme, which is primarily funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The successful candidate would need to commit approximately two hours per month, attending four board meetings per year, as well as occasionally and being involved in visits or other events. Through the board meetings, they and the other board members are required to scrutinise the work of the staff team working on the Tees-Swale programme, ensuring effective delivery. The Youth Board Member also has a particular role in advising the board on key issues and experiences of young people and will also help to shape the strategic direction of the programme.

Candidates should be aged 16 to 30 with a passion for nature, sustainable farming, landscape, outdoor education, hiking/cycling/horse riding in rural areas, or with a desire to make a better future for people and the planet.

Niki Rust, the North Pennines AONB Partnership’s Tees-Swale Programme Manager, said: “We’re looking for someone who is a passionate advocate for other young people interested in nature, who enjoys problem solving and welcomes a new challenge.

“It is a great way to develop really valuable employability skills such as networking, problem-solving and presenting.”

Through the Tees-Swale programme the AONB Partnership and National Park Authority are working together across two designated landscapes and collaborating with farmers, landowners, conservation organisations, communities, volunteers and partner organisations. The public benefits delivered will include climate change mitigation, flood-risk management, and tackling biodiversity loss. These are nationally important landscapes and the programme will engage more people in all these places have to offer. The AONB Partnership and National Park Authority will  encourage and support visits and activities by schools and by youth and community groups from nearby urban areas, to help them better understand the wildlife, the landscapes, and the ways of life of the people who live and work here, and above all to enjoy and explore these dales.

To find out more about how to apply visit our Jobs page. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2021.

ENDS

Notes for editors

• Contact Sarah Hudspeth at North Pennines AONB Partnership for further information – shudspeth@northpenninesaonb.org.uk, Phone: 07768 123247
• About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
  Using money raised by the National Lottery, we Inspire, lead and resource the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.
• Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund
• The North Pennines is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.
• At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 AONBs (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit www.landscapesforlife.org.uk for information about the AONB Family.
• The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the AONB are within the boundaries of five local authorities; the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland, Carlisle City Council and Eden District Council.
• The North Pennines AONB Partnership is an alliance of 24 public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the AONB. The work of the Partnership is carried out by its Staff Unit which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.
• UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events. Funding has been secured for a new programme of activities for 2018 – 2021 that includes new downloadable trails, interactive facilities at Bowlees Visitor Centre and a range of community and school projects.