New director appointed for North York Moors National Park Trust

The North York Moors National Park Trust has welcomed James Metcalfe as its new director.

James will oversee the trust’s ongoing work to conserve the natural and cultural environment of the North York Moors and enrich the health and wellbeing of people living in and around the national park through access, education and practical social support.

The trust’s current projects include the National Lottery Heritage-Funded ‘Birds on the Edge’, which is working to rejuvenate the habitats of threatened migratory bird populations – such as the Turtle Dove and Yellowhammer – and provide conditions for the birds to thrive in the North York Moors.

The trust has established awards to recognise both young volunteers in the region, and artists and photographers who celebrate the special qualities of the national park through their work.

It is also host to the River Esk and Coastal Streams Catchment Partnership, a cross-sector collaboration working to protect and improve the ecology of the Esk catchment.

But the new director indicated that the Trust will also chart a new course as it seeks to diversify funding streams, broaden opportunities for partnership, and run projects designed to boost the health and wellbeing of local communities.

It will also work to improve access to people currently unable to prosper from the benefits the local environment offers.

North York Moors National Park Trust director, James Metcalfe, said: “I am thrilled to be taking over the reins of the North York Moors National Park Trust.

“The trust is a proven partner in the delivery of important projects improving our natural environment, the wildlife it supports and strengthening our understanding of the ecological challenges threatening our magnificent North York Moors and beyond.

“But there is no greater moment than now to develop the trust’s work to also combat the challenges impacting the health and wellbeing of communities within and around the national park.

“I will explore ways to diversify our projects and partnerships for the benefit of both local communities and the environment. I encourage businesses, charities and communities looking to collaborate to reach out.

“National parks are a national inheritance to be cherished and prospered from by each generation. With so many current societal issues to combat, I am passionate about the role our national parks should play now in enhancing the health and wellbeing of people and the planet. The trust will be at the heart of this work in the North York Moors.”

To learn more, donate, or contact the trust, go to www.northyorkmoorstrust.uk