Below, announcement of a new fund for "sustainable development projects in
National Parks" in England. Obvious community-centred  archaeological and
historic environment opportunities in this...! 

Alex Hunt
Research and Conservation Officer
Council for British Archaeology
________________________________
DEFRA Press Release261/02 

02 July 2002

NEW £1 MILLION FUND FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN
NATIONAL PARKS

A new £1 million fund for sustainable development projects in the
National Parks was announced today by Rural Affairs Minister Alun
Michael.

The Sustainable Development Fund will enable local communities to
make a difference by achieving social, economic and environmental
sustainability in National Parks. It will operate in England's seven
National Parks and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

Local communities, particularly young people, will have the
opportunity to be involved and will be encouraged to link up with
urban youngsters to promote the National Parks.

Some examples of projects might be:

- A group of young people from a village working out a nature trail
for visitors and preparing a leaflet, which could involve
conservation work and preparing publicity

- Sharing of skills between the young and old, perhaps a local school
working with Age Concern to introduce children to rural skills such
as hedge laying and dry- stone walling

- Installing solar thermal water heating systems in households and
businesses within the National Park

- A village that is preparing a 'village plan' might ask two groups
of young people- one local and one from an urban community to
produce a photographic display to show what is good and bad about
the village.

Announcing the new Fund during a visit to Settle High School, in the
Yorkshire Dales National Park, Mr Michael said:

"I am delighted by the start that has already been made in the
Yorkshire Dales. Here at Settle High School students have several
sustainable projects in place and are creating a wonderful Millennium
Garden within their school grounds. I am also impressed with the
Settle Chamber of Trade and their work at the forefront of rural
recovery in the Dales.

"The Sustainable Development Fund will encourage those people living
and working in the National Parks throughout the country, to come up
with new ideas and to generate a greater awareness and understanding
of sustainability.

"These schemes should focus on integrating the environment, local
communities and the economy so that these unique areas are conserved
and their natural beauty enhanced, making them more enjoyable for
all.

"I welcome projects that encourage young people to get involved and
especially those that create a link between rural and urban
communities which also have a stake in our National Parks. I hope
these projects will be examples for other rural areas to follow,
broadening the message of sustainable development."

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Sustainable Development Fund will be similar to the Environment
Fund set up for the Welsh National Parks.

It will be monitored by the Countryside Agency and supports DEFRA's
objectives of sustainable development, partnership and social
inclusion. It will also serve as a test of not only how the principle
of sustainability works in practice, but also how barriers to it can
be overcome.

The Fund aims to develop and test new ways of achieving a more
sustainable way of living in these areas of great natural beauty and
diversity, whilst enhancing and conserving local culture, wildlife,
landscape, land use and communities.

The £1 million Fund for 2002/3 will be divided equally between the
eight areas, with each one receiving £125,000.

It will operate within the seven English National Parks and the
Norfolk & Suffolk Broads for projects which:

- explore ways of pursuing the principle of sustainability and of
breaking down barriers to sustainability;

- develop models for the sustainable management of the countryside
that could be applied more widely in England;

- generate greater awareness and understanding of sustainability;

- work through individuals, businesses and community groups;

- encourage participation of young people.

The Fund is open to individuals or organisations from the public,
private or voluntary sectors from within or outside the National
Park.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Fund should contact
the relevant National Park Authority or the Association of National
Park Authorities.

Press Notices available via DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk

END

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR