Visitors pay nothing to enter a National Park, but the moors depend on people who look after them. These organisations welcome support, and two of them run walks and events that anyone can join.
North York Moors Association (NYMA)
The "Friends of the North York Moors" is a membership charity founded in 1985 that works to protect the landscape, wildlife and culture of the National Park. It scrutinises planning applications, campaigns for sustainable transport and nature-friendly land use, and runs conservation projects such as its biodiversity plot at Corbett's Copse near Castleton.
Free guided walks of 4 to 7 miles most months, mainly for members but open to non-members when there is space. Upcoming walks are listed on our What's on page.
Members receive the quarterly magazine Voice of the Moors and can join hands-on conservation days.
Annual membership is £22 (£28 joint), or £15 for digital-only.
An independent charity based at the National Park offices in Helmsley, set up in 2015 from a legacy left by Anya McCracken and Alan Smith. It focuses on improving the health of people and nature, especially in communities around the park such as Teesside and Scarborough where access to nature is harder.
Natural Health Service for North Yorkshire: a green social prescribing programme with ten-week guided outdoor courses, run with the region's National Parks and National Landscapes.
Trust Treks: monthly wellbeing walks inspired by forest bathing, currently with men's mental health groups from Teesside.
Birds on the Edge: habitat work for turtle doves, yellowhammers, redstarts and song thrushes where woodland meets farmland, with schools and young people.
Stepping Stones to Nature: nature-based activities for primary school children, in school and on weekends.
The Trust helps manage Anya and Alan's Wood at Hawnby. You can donate or sign up to its newsletter.
North Yorkshire Council's outdoor education service has run adventure residentials since 1940: climbing, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, caving, bushcraft and coastal fieldwork for primary schools through to sixth forms, youth groups and adult training courses.
The council has closed its East Barnby centre near Whitby. East-coast residentials now run from Birch Hall near Scarborough, in partnership with The Scout Association, with the same team. Bewerley Park in Nidderdale stays open.
It also runs leadership and skills courses for adults in hiking, paddling, climbing and mountain biking.
The National Park Authority itself runs a large volunteer programme covering practical conservation, walk leading and visitor centre work. See the Make a Difference section of northyorkmoors.org.uk.
