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Friends of the AONB

Become a Friend of the AONB and do your bit to support the conservation effort!

The Friends group was launched in March 2005 and now have members in Mexico and New Zealand as well as Nidderdale!

There are two ways of becoming a "Friend of Nidderdale AONB":
 
1. Pledging Voluntary Help
You can become a Friend by pledging voluntary help or undertaking conservation activities that directly benefit the AONB. For example, a pledge may be to maintain bird feeders, create a wildlife pond, buy products from local businesses, join one of the AONB's volunteer groups, or help to look after your local village hall.
 
There are more examples in the table below. One or more actions must be selected that are appropriate, meaningful & achievable but challenging to the individual. 
 
2. Financial Donations
If you don't feel that you can commit to any of the pledges you can become a 'Friend' by paying a minimum £10 donation (£5 for children). All donations will go to conservation projects in the AONB:
 
Donating.......
£10 will pay for 5 native broadleaved trees to be planted
£20 will pay for 3 metres of new hedgerow to be planted
£40 will pay for 1.5 metres of drystone wall to be built using new stone

 

Photo: Friends Tree Planting

 

Photo: Friends conducting an upland bird survey

 
 
Examples of Pledges
 
 Action Benefit
Display an AONB car sticker Support the AONB
Display a poster of AONB events  
Volunteer for AONB Activities  
Deliver the AONB Newsletter inyour Parish  
Put up and maintain bird feeders Encouraging wildlife
Put up nest boxes  
Put up bat boxes  
Use organic principles in the garden  
Plant native species of garden shrubs  
Build a pond to attract wildlife  
Plant 50 trees (native species)  
Create a wildflower meadow  
Volunteer at a local nature reserve  
Buy local wood products Encouraging sustainable woodland
Buy local products Supporting local businesses
Buy fresh local food from local shops or farms  
Use local restaurants/tea rooms/pubs  
Use local post offices and shops  
Install a garden water butt to collect rainwater Recycling
Compost organic waste for the garden  
Recycle kitchen water to irrigate the garden  
Walk, cycle or use the bus instead of the car Energy saving
Walk the kids to school instead of using the car  
Choose water-efficient domestic appliances Reduce consumption
Install a water meter  
Buy non-polluting cleaning products Reduce pollution
Buy non-toxic paint products  
 
Why become a "Friend of the Nidderdale AONB"
  • do your 'bit for the environment' the practical contributions you can make will make a real difference to the ongoing care of the AONB's special countryside
  • subscription fees will pay for the creation of new, and protection of existing wildlife habitats
  • have the opportunity to visit places not normally open to the public
  • free entry to a fascinating programme of walks and talks on a range of natural history issues
  • make new friends at the 'Friends of' social events
Membership benefits
Apart from the knowledge that you are making a practical contribution towards the care of a very special environment you also receive a membership pack that contains:
  • members newsletter
  • car sticker
  • AONB poster
  • invitations to special talks
  • free guided walks
  • free attendance at selected AONB events
  • calender of social events 
  • advance details of how to get involved in volunteer programmes
How to join
If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Nidderdale AONB or would like more information, please call the AONB office 01423 712950, email nidderdaleaonb@harrogate.gov.uk or click here to download a copy of the Friends Membership Form.  PDF 338KB
 
Matthew Wilson - Patron of the Friends of the Nidderdale AONB
As a resident of the Nidderdale AONB and a keen environmentalist Matthew Wilson was the perfect choice as Patron. Matthew has been the Curator and Head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr since February 2004 following four years as Curator of RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex. Despite vowing not to follow the family tradition, his parents ran a nursery in a small village in Kent, Matthew has now become a respected voice within the horticultural field.
 
His environmentally sensitive gardening methods are closely aligned with the conservation objectives of the AONB, and will inspire members to think about wildlife habitats. At Harlow Carr the massive new rose borders are designed with dramatic, contemporary plant groupings in a way that reduces the need for chemicals and intensive management.  A new feature in the garden is the 'Log-Ness Monster', a huge log pile that aims to demonstrate to visitors that biodiversity initiatives can be fun and attractive to look at.
 
While at Hyde Hall in Essex, Matthew completed a Dry Garden that is irrigated purely by rainfall. His management of the Wild Wood Appeal and planting project, a fundraising appeal to plant 55,000 trees at Hyde Hall by 2006, illustrates Matthew's desire to look 'beyond the garden fence' and work with the wider environment. Matthews's work included the creation of wildflower meadows, very low pesticide and herbicide regimes, and a ban on the use of peat and slug pellets.
 
Matthew contributes regularly to the gardening press, including The Garden, BBC Gardeners World magazine, Garden Life and BBC Wildlife Magazine. His writing also features regularly in the gardening section of The Daily Telegraph. HIs first book, 'Gardening Techniques' was published by Harper Collins in 2005. He has also appeared on a number of terrestrial and satellite television programmes such as Gardeners World, Gardening With The Experts, Turf Wars, Garden Challenge, The Plantsman and on local and national radio. 
 
Friends of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a Company Limited by Guarantee.  Registered in England and Wales.  Company No.  05383414.