National park's youthful 75th anniversary celebrations

The 75th anniversary celebrations of Dartmoor National Park looked to the future with four youth rangers taking centre stage.

Around 100 people gathered at Two Bridges Hotel for a networking party 75 years to the day of Dartmoor National Park’s (DNP) ‘designation day’ on October 30, 1951.

The event brought together businesses, farmers, environmental charities, youth rangers, conservationists, hospitality providers, heritage organisations, volunteers and elected representatives on Friday, October 30.

Dartmoor Youth Rangers Tom Grey, Iona, Lowena Boyne, and Henry Jones showed their passion, despite their nerves as they addressed a large gathering which included speakers Will Dracup, Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) chair, and guest Kate Ashbrook (Open Spaces Society chair).

Henry, 14, an environmental blogger and writer, said: “I’m a passionate birder and Dartmoor is where I feel most at home. I love the wild openness of Dartmoor and I’m really grateful to the park for giving me this opportunity to volunteer. It’s more than a part-time volunteer role though, it’s like a way of life for me.”

The common cause of the gathering was celebrating the qualities making Dartmoor special, reflecting on its rich history, looking forward to the next chapter in the national park's story and the collective effort needed to care for the protected landscape in the future.

Will announced that the DNPA had raised £75,000 towards anniversary events and launched the consultation on the new partnership plan.

He said: “Thanks to everyone who bought a draw ticket, to Dartmoor Futures for coordinating the draw, the Two Bridges Hotel for donating the top prize and hosting our designation day event and the many others who donated prizes.

“None of this would’ve been possible without them and without the dedication and enthusiasm of authority staff and members; they have worked tirelessly to make 2026 a successful and memorable anniversary year.”

He added: “I’m proud of the work we do to restore, enhance and protect Dartmoor. There’s always more to do and we remain committed to doing what’s right for our treasured national park.

“We urge people join the consultation for Dartmoor National Park’s partnership plan, setting out the long-term vision underpinned by an ambitious plan of action. The consultation closes on November 22. It’s a great opportunity to shape our collective goals for this exceptional landscape.”

Founded as a national park on October 30, 1951, Dartmoor is internationally renowned for geology and archaeology, history and heritage, rare wildlife and species-rich habitats.

It is home to 34,500 people and 10,000 work in farming on most of the land. Around three-million people visit each year for recreation and drawn by its internationally significant archaeology.

Will said: “Dartmoor is a stronghold for habitats and species, but is affected by the wider ecological crisis, reflected in our declaration of a climate and ecological crisis and our urgent climate action plan.

“The park plays a significant role in tackling these twin crises through partnership working on major programmes of work including soil and peatland restoration, natural flood management, landscape recovery and delivery of funding for sustainable farming.”