Help us speak out for birds of prey and stop their persecution.

Join us in the fight against wildlife crime by supporting our Eyes on the Skies campaign.

Sign up and stay informed with campaign news, wildlife and conservation updates, volunteering opportunities and details about our latest events.

As a Friend of the Dales, you strengthen our voice. Become a member (or renew) today and help us champion the Yorkshire Dales through action, advocacy, and awareness raising.

Latest News

• 
  Reflections from Our 42nd AGM: Community, Conversation, and the Future of the Dales
  The 42nd AGM of Friends of the Dales took place on Saturday 26 September at the beautiful setting of Bolton Abbey Village Hall. As the newly appointed Executive Director, it … Read more
• Introducing our new Communications and Marketing Officer
  Friends of the Dales is delighted to announce the appointment of Cailum Peers-Earley as our new Communications and Marketing Officer. Cailum has spent the last seven years working within marketing … Read more
• 
  Introducing Our New Executive Director
  We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sophie Amos as our new Executive Director. Sophie brings more than 25 years of experience in the charitable sector, including eight years … Read more
• 
  Patterns of Persecution
  If you still in any doubt as to the true horror and scale of birds of prey persecution in the Yorkshire Dales and beyond, then we would encourage a read … Read more
• 
  Make your own kestrel kite!
  Kestrels are a familiar sight, with their pointed wings and long tail, hovering beside a roadside verge. However, numbers of kestrels have declined since the 1970s, probably as a result … Read more
• 
  Is this justice for birds of prey?
  We have welcomed the conviction of 34-year-old former head gamekeeper Racster Dingwall at York Magistrates Court on Thursday 29 January, following his guilty plea for conspiring to kill a hen harrier on … Read more

Our work

Campaign

We have more than 40 years experience in taking direct action on issues of critical importance to the Dales. These include affordable housing, rural bus services, biodiversity, green lanes, pollution, farming, landscape conservation – plus many others!

Protect

We are advocates for the Dales, lobbying government where appropriate. We monitor significant planning applications and comment on many each year – supporting those we believe are right for the Dales. We also host events to raise awareness of issues, such as the pollution caused by using plastic tree guards and the degradation of our peatlands.

Enjoy

We run a variety of walks, webinars and volunteer events throughout the year which are free for all to attend and a great way to meet others passionate about conservation issues. Getting out in to nature is also beneficial to mental health and wellbeing.

DalesBus

Sustainable transport is one of our aims for the Dales, which is why we set up DalesBus. Run by our social enterprise company Dales & Bowland CIC, volunteers organise, fundraise and publicise the services, with the buses run by bus companies or community providers. For timetables – see DalesBus. DalesBus runs on Sundays and bank holidays throughout the summer (with some in the winter) across the Yorkshire Dales, linking into bus and train services across the region. Perfect for enjoying the Dales in an environmentally friendly way!

Policies