Who are the Mosaic partners?

Where are the National Parks?

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

The Brecon Beacons National Park is situated in mid-Wales. It contains some of the most spectacular and distinctive upland formations in southern Britain and covers an area of 1347 sq km (520 sq miles).

The Brecon Beacons National Park was designated in 1957. It is administered by a special National Park Authority made up of 16 members appointed by the constituent local authorities and 8 members appointed by the National Assembly for Wales, as well as over 100 staff.

North York Moors National Park Authority

The North York Moors became a National Park in 1952. In 1995 it became a National Park Authority independent of the County Council, with Members who operate in a similar way to any other local authority.

The North York Moors is famed for the most extensive tract of unenclosed heather moorland in England. This patchwork of upland heath, blanket bog and mire is an internationally important home for merlin and golden plover. The high moorland is dissected by an amazing variety of dales. Some are wide and grassy, a unique landscape of drystone walls and hedges - created by generations of farmers. Others are narrow and secluded, with woodland clinging to steep sides. (Association of National Parks)

Peak District National Park Authority

The Peak District National Park was Britain's first National Park, set up in 1951, and although mostly in Derbyshire it covers parts of six counties. Because of its accessibility and position at the heart of England, it is one of the most heavily visited National Parks in the world. It covers 555 square miles at the southern end of the Pennines between Sheffield and Manchester. (Association of National Parks)

The National Park Authority has 38 members. Twenty are appointed by county, district, city or borough councils. Eighteen are appointed directly by the Secretary of State: ten because they understand and have specialist knowledge about the issues that affect the National Park and eight who are parish councillors.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

The Yorkshire Dales became a National Park in 1954 because of the range of wildlife, habitats, beautiful scenery and local history.

The National Park covers 1,773 square kilometres of England's finest countryside. Over 20,000 residents live and work in the National Park. The area is also visited by over 8 million visitors every year who come to see the wonderful landscape and wildlife, as well as experience village life in places such as Grassington, Burnsall, Dent and Muker.

The other partners

Youth Hostels Association

The Youth Hostels Association (YHA) operates a network of 227 Youth Hostels across England and Wales. Over 310,000 members receive a warm welcome, comfortable accommodation, good food and affordable prices.

The YHA's charitable objective forms the basis of all its work:

'To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels and thus to promote their health, rest and education'

The YHA is committed to building bridges between town and country, and contributing to international understanding. Its plans for the future include increasing the membership and Youth Hostel use and to extend the YHA network to areas where it does not have Youth Hostels at present. YHA has always been a countryside and environmental organisation, founded as part of the 'outdoors' movement. This has further developed into the YHA's adoption of policies that encourage sustainable use of the countryside, Youth Hostels and their local communities.

Campaign for National Parks (CNP)

The Campaign for National Parks is the charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

CNP is the only national, voluntary sector organisation dedicated to National Parks. CNP is an umbrella of over 40 environmental and amenity groups. CNP aims to give the voluntary sector a shared vision and voice on all National Park issues.

CNP works to further its objectives through a range of activities including:

• lobbying decision-makers at Westminster, Whitehall and the National Assembly for Wales
• undertaking research
• commenting on changes to planning guidance
• monitoring planning applications and reacting when appropriate
• providing information and educational materials
• providing voluntary speakers
• discussing environmental improvements with companies
• publishing documents

National Park Societies - every National Park has a local voluntary society which works in a number of different ways to protect the Park or to promote its enjoyment.

Some of the Societies get involved in planning developments while others organise walks or local conservation projects. Sometimes the Society acts as a 'watchdog' on the National Park Authority, the statutory body that runs the National Park. The societies are affiliated to the Campaign for National Parks.

Four National Park Societies are represented in the Mosaic Partnership (mirroring the four National Park Authorities):

• Brecon Beacons Park Society - www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org
• North Yorkshire Moors Association - www.north-yorkshire-moors.org.uk
• Friends of the Peak District - www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk
• Yorkshire Dales Society - www.yorkdalesoc.yorks.net