Northumberland National Park has become the first authority to create a National Park Youth Cabinet, aiming to give young people a say in the management of the historic landscape.<\/u><\/p>\n
DEFRA writes:
\n<\/u>Young people are to take their place at the heart of decision-making for Northumberland National Park with the creation of the country\u2019s first National Park Youth Cabinet, Environment Minister Rory Stewart announced today.<\/p>\n
The new cabinet will give local people aged 16-25 an active role in governing their National Park and encourage others to help look after it \u2013 today and for the future.<\/p>\n
National Parks are a corner stone of rural economies generating over \u00a34 billion each year.<\/p>\n
Environment Minister Rory Stewart said: \u2018With more than 90 million annual visitors to our National Parks they are an essential and very valuable part of rural life, bringing jobs and investment.\u00a0 It\u2019s absolutely right young people \u2013 the future custodians of our natural world \u2013 have a say in how they are run.\u00a0 Important projects like this make that happen, giving teenagers and young adults first hand understanding of their true value \u2013 not just in monetary terms \u2013 but as part of our precious natural heritage.\u2019<\/p>\n
Glen Sanderson, Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: \u2018We are very pleased to welcome the Minister to Northumberland National Park today where he has met some of the young people involved in our brand new Youth Cabinet, and taken part in some of our exciting and popular National Parks Week activities.\u00a0 We have enjoyed working with young people for a long time \u2013 through apprenticeships, training schemes, and our wide range of activities \u2013 and we genuinely value the creativity and inspiration that young people bring.\u00a0 Our Youth Cabinet puts young people at the heart of what we do at the National Park as they are an integral part of the decision making process, and we listen and learn much from their views. National Parks are amongst Britain\u2019s most valued treasures, and we are ensuring that we do all we can to encourage young people to learn about, explore, and care for our National Parks so that future generations can continue to enjoy these national assets for years to come.\u2019<\/p>\n
Ian Riddle, age 25, from Bellingham, Northumberland, joined the Youth Cabinet to encourage other young people to get involved in the National Park, he said: \u2018Northumberland National Park has always been very special to me. My family have farmed in the National Park for four generations and I am passionate about the outdoors, the environment and conservation.\u00a0 Through involvement with the National Park, I have attended exchange visits to see how other countries address issues for young people in rural areas. I\u2019m therefore really pleased to be involved in the Youth Cabinet and happy to be here today as it is officially launched by the Minister.\u00a0 I think it\u2019s really important for young people to have their say and have the opportunity to get involved with the Park. The Cabinet offers young people from all backgrounds and walks of life the chance to have our voices heard and influence how the National Park is run.\u2019<\/p>\n
Marking National Parks Week, the Minister also launched the #PhotointhePark social media campaign today, encouraging young people and families to post pictures of their favourite national park moments on social media over the summer holidays.\u00a0 The Minister\u2019s visit to the Park took place during National Parks Week. The week-long initiative, which is an annual celebration of National Parks across the UK, started on 27 July and will run until 2 August.<\/p>\n
As part of the visit, the Minister met young people from the Youth Mosaic Project who act as \u2018champions\u2019 for the Park as well as volunteers who are contributing to the upkeep of National Trails. This project is aimed at young people (16 to 25 years) from surrounding urban areas \u2013 including Newcastle, East Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Carlisle \u2013 to teach them about our natural environment, while improving both their health and job prospects.<\/p>\n
View the press release<\/a><\/p>\n IHBC newsblogs on national parks<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Northumberland National Park has become the first authority to create a National Park Youth Cabinet, aiming to give young people a say in the management of the historic landscape. DEFRA writes: Young people are to take their place at the … Continue reading