Management Plan - North York Moors National Park

Understanding and Enjoymentare primary schools, 21% secondary and the remainder othergroups. Links to the National Curriculum are of key importance,and increased emphasis is placed on social inclusion andoutreach work.Other organisations also provide educational activities linkedto their specific focus. Local authorities provide a small numberof outdoor activity centres allowing mainly school children totake part in activities such as canoeing or climbing, while localcharities also deliver environmental education and heritagebased activities through their own education services.Over the past four years, the National Park Authority has expandeda successful and varied events programme and in 2009-10 nearly4,000 people attended the bookable events. The programme isan important means of delivering face to face information aboutthe National Park and is a key aspect to achieving a high level ofunderstanding about the National Park. These events complementother organisations’ events programmes running within theNational Park again focussed around their specialisms such asbirds, cultural heritage and wildlife.Increasing understanding and awareness of the special qualitiesof the North York Moors can lead to changes in people’sbehaviour when visiting the National Park, which in turn can bebeneficial for the environment.Challenges● Continuing to engage with under-represented groups aswell as other visitors.● Changes to the National Curriculum will impact upon theway in which the ‘outside the classroom’ experience isdelivered.● Changes to the provision of resources for lifelong learningopportunities.● Promoting understanding of the special qualities througha range of media to suit people’s choices and expectations,including through technology offering interactivity and realtime information.● Ensuring understanding of all 14 special qualities andcommunicating the idea of local distinctiveness.In 15 Years Time…More people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities understandwhat is special about the North York Moors and they areengaged with in ways which are fun and inspirational and enableenjoyment of the National Park’s environment. A broad rangeof organisations work together to promote understanding ofthe National Park which leads to increased support for theconservation of the special qualities.The National Park Authority currently produces 60 publicationsencouraging people to discover the North York Moors and hasinstalled on site information panels and numerous interpretationpanels about the special qualities at key sites around the NationalPark. The two National Park visitor centres receive on averageover 240,000 visitors per year and are key aspects of the secondpurpose work, both increasing understanding and also enjoymentof the Park. Substantial investment has taken place in the centresover the last five years to improve the offer to visitors. Futureinvestment will continue to ensure a high quality product andservice is offered whilst optimising revenue from the centreswhich can then be re-invested into looking after the National Park.74 www.northyorkmoors.org.uk