Young people discover Nidderdale’s Dark Skies

March 7, 2025

One of our priorities at YDMT is to connect more people with the places we love in the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale and nearby areas. Our Youth Environment Forum does just that, by helping to tackle inequalities that make it hard for young people to access and enjoy the countryside.

Members of the YDMT Youth Forum

Helping to make ideas a reality

Our Youth Officer, Anthea Hanson, works closely with the Youth Environment Forum and sees her role as a facilitator, putting into practice the ideas of the young people involved. One such idea recently became reality for a group of young people aged 12-20, through a residential star-gazing experience in the wonderful surroundings of Swinton Bivouac, thanks to support from the Swinton Estate in Nidderdale.

The group embraced the novelty of no electricity and sleeping in the woods in cabins with the noises of wildlife around them. A tour of the Swinton Estate by Lucas Walton, a YDMT Apprentice who works on the Estate, also gave them the opportunity to learn about countryside-based career opportunities that were open to them.

Youth forum members exploring the Swinton Estate

Al fresco pizza and astronomical wonders

After al fresco DIY pizzas, the group headed off into the dark skies of Nidderdale to visit Lime Tree Observatory – which we’ve supported in the past through our YDMT Grants scheme to purchase a telescope, upgrade the building and develop a new classroom. With the benefit of clear skies and a visit to the planetarium, the young people were able to observe several astronomical wonders through their telescopes.

Rachel, who lives in Leeds said: “It was really lovely to see the stars since I live in the city and only get to see a couple a night.”

Reflecting on the event and the role of the Youth Forum, Anthea said: ‘’Lots of memories were made at this event that will be talked about for a long time to come. The Youth Forum is more than just a project, it is a supportive family that nurtures young people to meet their potential while at the same time protecting the future of the place that they love so much.’’

Empowering young people

Our youth programme, Green Futures, helps to tackle the inequalities that make it hard for young people to access and enjoy the countryside, and brings them together to take action for nature here in the Yorkshire Dales. Through our work, we inpire young people to connect with nature in the first instance and then help them to develop the confidence and leadership skills they will need to influence change and improve their own life chances.