National park secures volunteer programme funding

A national park has secured £20,000 to recruit and train more volunteers.

Northumberland National Park will use the money from the National Lottery Community Fund to pay for travel costs, equipment and recruiting more people from various backgrounds, a spokesperson said.

Volunteers will work in nature recovery, including habitat restoration, woodland and peatland management, access improvements and wildlife monitoring.

Park chief executive David Renwick said: "This funding will help us welcome more volunteers, remove barriers to participation and create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature."

He said new volunteers would be able to "develop new skills and improve their wellbeing while making a positive contribution to the national park".

Officially designated in 1956, Northumberland National Park covers an area of 1,049km or 405 square miles.

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