The National Park Authority has adapted its ‘Paths for Everyone’ fund to support the restoration and reinstatement of Rights of Way affected by the Fylingdales Moor wildfire.
The fund is part of the Make a Difference scheme, launched earlier this year.
Ben Jackson, Ranger and Area Manger for the South of the North York Moors National Park, said: “This is the largest wildfire we’ve ever seen in the North York Moors and Rights of Way across Fylingdales Moor remain closed as we assess the safety of the area and look to replace damaged path surfaces, signage, gates and boardwalks.
“It’s been interesting to see that despite the intensity of the fire, some sections of the most well-used routes are still visible on the ground.
“This is likely because the ground is so compacted on these paths that the fire has more or less leapt over them.
“Quieter stretches, however, were more severely burnt, or in some cases interrupted by deep fire breaks or the associated spoil heaps.
“It’s particularly important that we repair and protect these routes, as the bare landscape is extremely fragile and at high risk of erosion, which could seriously impede its natural recovery.”
The Make a Difference platform is a public payback scheme launched earlier this year.
It allows individuals and businesses to donate directly to conservation and community projects across the North York Moors.
The scheme is a joint initiative between the North York Moors National Park Authority and the North York Moors Trust.
It forms part of the National Park’s broader commitment to regenerative tourism.
This approach encourages visitors not only to enjoy protected landscapes, but to actively contribute to their care.
Emily Watson, Regenerative Tourism Manager at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said: “Make a Difference was set up to give individuals and businesses a meaningful way to have a positive impact on the National Park.
“By allowing people to contribute to conservation projects, such as propagating native wildflower species, we’re inviting everyone to play a part in protecting and enhancing this special place.”
One of the many stark photographs taken since the fire shows a charred boardwalk on the Coast to Coast path.
The boardwalk was only installed earlier this year. It was part of preparations for the route becoming a National Trail.
Repairs to the Coast to Coast path will be covered by Natural England.
Repairs to other routes, including groundworks, wooden finger posts and safety signs, will be carried out by the National Park Authority as soon as possible, subject to funding.
The ‘Paths for Everyone’ project aims to make Rights of Way more accessible.
This includes improving the surfaces and replacing stiles with easy latch gates.
The project will now also support fire recovery work on routes across Fylingdales Moor.
Other projects supported through Make a Difference include:
– Reach for the stars: Helping school children and young people access dark skies and nature in the North York Moors. – Forgotten flowers: Helping revive local varieties of Giant Bellflower, Primroses and Wood Betony, which have been in sharp decline for 70 years.
The Make a Difference fund offers a practical way for the public to contribute to these efforts.
For more information or to make a donation, visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/make-a-difference.
