Visitors who walk the Three Peaks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being asked to help shape future conservation plans.
A survey has been launched to try to identify why and how people come to the area and what problems they find as they hike up and down Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
[pullquote]We need to understand how and why people use the Three Peaks area and what improvements are needed from their point of view
Steve Hastie, YDNPA[/pullquote]
Steve Hastie, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Area Ranger and Three Peaks Project Manager, said: “Roughly 250,000 walkers come here every year to scale the summits and soak up the beauty of the landscape.
“They have a huge impact on the network of footpaths and on the flora and fauna, as well as the local community, and our priority is always to try to lessen that impact and bring about positive benefits as much as we can.
“To do that, we need to understand how and why people use the Three Peaks area and what improvements are needed from their point of view. Once we have this clearer picture, we will be able to plan for the future in a way that will help both the walkers and the environment.
Malcolm Petyt, the National Park Authority’s Member Champion for Recreation Management, said: “I hope everyone who walks all or some of the Three Peaks will take the time to fill in the survey and help us protect the area for future generations.”
The survey can be found at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/threepeaks and everyone who completes it will be entered into a free draw with a chance to win a year’s membership to the Friends of the Three Peaks and exclusive merchandise.