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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 of Nidderdale AONB" group was launched in March 2005 and now has over 600 members, including people from Mexico and New Zealand as well as Nidderdale!

You can become a "Friend of Nidderdale AONB" by paying an annual minimum donation of £10 donation (£5 for children). All donations go directly into 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
 
 
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

Photo: Friends Tree Planting

 

Photo: Friends conducting an upland bird survey
 
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 contact the AONB office on 01423 712950 or email nidderdaleaonb@harrogate.gov.uk
 
Matthew Wilson - Patron of the Friends of the Nidderdale AONB
As an ex resident of the Nidderdale AONB and a keen environmentalist Matthew Wilson was the perfect choice as Patron. Matthew was formerly Curator of RHS Harlow Carr and RHS Head of Gardens Creative Development. He is now Associate Director of Design at the Landscape Agency, and a regular contributor to the gardening media. 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.
 
Friends of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a Company Limited by Guarantee.  Registered in England and Wales.  Company No.  05383414.