WWF-UK began supporting Wild Ingleborough in 2022 because of its commitment to supporting communities, restoring nature, tackling the climate crisis and how this can be achieved by working together.  

Lasting environmental change requires local knowledge, support and participation. Roles funded by the project include two Community Engagement Officers who work with and within the local communities and schools to raise awareness, encourage skill sharing, create events and opportunities, and alongside the rest of the team enable greater public access to nature. One main objective of the project is supporting a thriving rural economy including green jobs, innovation and new ideas, alongside aiding ecological recovery.

Another important component of the Community Officers role is the Experience Wild Ingleborough Access Fund, which was established to help people who face barriers to accessing nature. The fund enables a range of community groups, including organisations supporting refugees, young carers, older people and people with disabilities, to visit and experience the Ingleborough landscape. Developed in partnership with local organisations with expertise in improving access to the countryside, the initiative reflects the projects belief that nature recovery should benefit everyone. So far, the fund has facilitated more than 500 people to access nature. By creating opportunities for more diverse communities to visit the landscape, the Access Fund helps foster a greater connection to nature, aids new experience, wellbeing and personal growth plus public support for conservation, ensuring that the benefits of a restored landscape are shared widely across society.

'It was an amazing experience from start to finish and its one I’ll remember. We got to share the adventure with mates, try out new activities together and new experiences and learnt a lot newer things'

Collective action is critical for success and by working together across communities and in partnerships this project has become a shining example of how we can help each, restore nature, tackle the climate crisis and make Ingleborough a haven for nature and people. WWF-UK is very proud to be a partner in this project. WWF funding for Wild Ingleborough came from the following significant funders: the Michael Uren Foundation, Aviva Insurance, Shears Foundation and the Quadrature Foundation.

Amazing, I won’t forget this and will have a lasting memory.