DARTMOOR National Park Junior Rangers were awarded first prize in the group category of the National Park Volunteering Awards 2018 last week.

The awards recognise the outstanding contribution that volunteers make in helping to care for precious landscapes and inspiring others to safeguard them for future generations to experience and enjoy. The awards ceremony took place at the Kendal Mountain Festival in Cumbria and entries came from the UK’s 15 national parks.

Lord Gardiner, minister for rural affairs and biosecurity, said: ‘I would like to congratulate all those nominated and commend the winners on these well-deserved awards. The dedication and hard work of volunteers is what makes our national parks the inspiring places they are today.

‘National parks play a key role in conserving exceptional parts of our beautiful countryside and enabling communities, people and businesses to prosper and grow. Through our ongoing designated landscapes review, we want to ensure these vital areas are protected and enhanced for future generations. Volunteers of all generations do so much to make a positive difference, long may that continue.’

Helen Jenny, education volunteer for Dartmoor National Park, said: ‘The Dartmoor Junior Ranger programme involves 12 to 16-year-olds in a ten month commitment to a programme of volunteering opportunities which connect young people with the workings of the Dartmoor Education and Outreach and Ranger Service teams.

‘In addition to the vast and varied practical skills learned, these young people have developed personal and interpersonal skills.

‘The past four years have shown a growing sense of responsibility and understanding for the environment and they have all become valued ambassadors, promoting the message of care, active enjoyment and wise use. Dartmoor is certainly safe in their hands. An award well deserved by all.’

Junior ranger tasks include spillway repair, leat clearing, coppicing, footpath maintenance, caring for historical sites, recreational issues as well as outreach events at local shows, meeting the public and helping with activities/events.

All junior rangers work towards completion of their John Muir Explore Award (eight days minimum commitment) and the National Outdoor Learning Award (NOLA), which helps them reflect on and record their changes in confidence and self-esteem throughout the programme.

Over the past four years of the programme, the young people have led by example with the first group quickly recruiting friends to join in subsequent years. Those who have returned have worked as mentors for the new junior rangers and helped to pass on lessons learned with enthusiasm and commitment. They have all acquired the safety elements of working with tools and attracted considerable sponsorship for their own tools and uniform.

Meeting rangers and voluntary wardens has led to some of them adding additional days working on specific tasks such as footpath surveys, working at wildlife festivals and assisting with the five to 12-year-old’s Ranger Ralph club.

Dartmoor volunteers from the community heritage Parishscapes Project were also shortlisted in the projects category.

Parishscapes is part of Dartmoor’s Moor than Meets the Eye (MTMTE) Heritage Lottery Fund-supported Landscape Partnership Scheme.

All winners received prizes and a £1,000 bursary was given to the group and project winners to help their volunteer work.