A paper reviewing how more National Parks in Scotland could generate an increase in volunteering – therefore benefiting the local economy, the environment and health and wellbeing of volunteers.
REPORT 04 / MARCH 2016
Volunteering andNational Parks in Scotland The potential value and benefits of more National Parks in Scotland
Author : Graham C. Barrow BA(Hons) MSc MPhil for the Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS).
APRS
1.1 Thisisthe4thNationalParkresearchpaperproducedbytheScottishCampaignforNationalParks(SCNP)andtheAssociationfortheProtectionofRuralScotland(APRS).ItfollowsonfromUnfinishedBusiness–aNationalParksStrategyforScotlandpublishedin2013bySCNP/APRSandsubsequentpapersonthesocio-economicbenefitsofNationalParks,parkgovernanceoptionsandthebenefitsofmoreNationalParksforthetouristindustryinScotland.Thispaper,draftedbySCNPBoardmemberGrahamBarrow,presentsthecasethatthedesignationofmoreNationalParksinScotlandwouldgenerateavaluableincreaseinvolunteeractivity,benefittingtheparkenvironment,thelocaleconomyandthehealthandwellbeingoftheindividualsinvolved.
1.2 VolunteeringisbigbusinessandVolunteerScotlandhascalculatedthattheworkcarriedoutbyallvolunteersinScotlandispossiblyworthsome£2.6billionperannum(2014figures).Thisfigureisarrivedatthroughasimplecalculationusingthetimevolunteershavegiventoorganisationsorgroupsmultipliedbytheaverage(median)wage.Butthispurelyfinancialcalculationdoesnotincludetheinvaluablepersonal,social,health,communityandenvironmentalbenefits,whicharelesstangibleanddifficulttomeasureinmonetaryterms.
1.3 NationalParkshave,sincetheircreationinNorthAmericaandtheirarrivalintheUKinthe1950s,stimulatedvolunteeringinarangeofactivities.TheprotectionandmanagementoftheUK’sfinestlandscapesandhabitatscertainlygeneratesastrongsenseofcommitmentinmanypeopleofallagesandtheNationalParkAuthoritiesandassociatedparksupportorganisationspotentiallyhavetheskillsandwherewithaltostimulateandmanagevolunteers.Organisinganddirectingvolunteershaveacost,butthebenefitsoutweighthismanyfold,asthispaperdemonstrates.
1.4 ThispaperseekstoquantifythevalueofadditionalvolunteeringthatafullydevelopedNationalParksysteminScotlandcouldstimulate.Thisisconservativelyestimatedatabout£500,000perannum(seeChapters7and8).ButthisfigurerepresentsonlythevolunteeringthatwouldbemanageddirectlybytheNationalParkAuthoritiesandthereislikelytobeothervolunteeringstimulatedineachnewNationalParkbutmanagedbyothervoluntarybodieswhosupportparkpurposes.
1.Introduction
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FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
2.1 VolunteersconductarangeofdifferentactivitiesinNationalParksaroundtheworldandthemaintypesareinoneofsixcategories:
• physicalconstructionandmaintenancetasks
• interpretationandeducationservices
• scientificresearchandmonitoring
• mountainsafetyandrescue
• fundraising,and
• marketingandadministration.
2.2 Physical construction and maintenance tasksarefrequentlycarriedoutbyvolunteersandNationalParkscanoftenhavealoyallocalgrouportheyorganisespecificvolunteerprojects,particularlyinthesummermonths.Commontasksperformedbyvolunteergroupsinclude:
• Footpathconstructionandrepair
• Wallandfencerepair
• Hedgeplantingandlaying
• Treeplanting
• Viewpointconstruction
• Erectionofsignsandway-marks
• Litterclearance
• Pondandrivercourseclearance
• Woodlandmanagementandundergrowthclearance
• Removalofunwantedtreesandbushesfromwetlands.
2.TheworkcarriedoutbyvolunteersinNationalParks
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
2.3 MostofthesetasksareorganisedandoverseenbyeithertheNationalPark’sownrangerserviceorbyacompetentorganisationworkingwiththeNationalParkAuthority,suchasTheConservationVolunteers.
2.4 TheLochLomondandtheTrossachsNationalParkhasaVolunteerManagerandhascreatedarangeofvolunteeropportunitiesandthesehavebecomesopopularthatvacanciesarepresentlyfull.TheFriendsofLochLomondandtheTrossachsalsooffervolunteerrolesintheparkareaandthereareahostofotherorganisationswhichofferconservationvolunteeringsuchastheNationalTrustforScotlandatBenLomondandtheRoyalSocietyfortheProtectionofBirdsatWard’sFarm.ItisdifficulttoascertainhowfarnumbersattractedtovolunteerintheseplacespartlydosobecausetheyareinaNationalPark.
2.5 Interpretation and Education servicesarealsoregularlyprovidedbyvolunteersinmanyNationalParks.ForexampleguidedwalksareorganisedbyvolunteerrangersinthePeakDistrictNationalParkinEnglandandeveningtalks,bothwithintheparkandatnearbyclubsandsocieties,areregularlyprovided.
2.6 IntheNorthAmericanNationalParksitiscommontoseetheinformationdeskinthemainvisitorcentrestaffedbyavolunteerfromtheCooperatingAssociation(friend’sorganisation)oftheNationalParkandevents,talksanddemonstrationsareregularlyprovidedbythesevolunteers.
2.7 Scientific Research and Monitoring activityisalsoacommonvolunteertaskwithsurveysofbirdsandotherwildlifeortherecordingofflora,watersampling,trappingofsmallmammalsandmeteorologicalmonitoring.
2.8 ForexampletheOlympicNationalParkinWashingtonState,USAhasrecruitedvolunteerstocarryoutasurveyofthedistributionandactivitiesofmarmots,whilstonDeesideintheCairngormsNationalParkyoungpeoplefromtheBrathayExplorationGrouphaveinrecentyearsbeenmonitoringthewatervolepopulation,withguidancefromlocalstaffoftheNationalTrustforScotland.
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Volunteers working on a pathHelvellyn – Lake District National Park
2.9 Mountain safety and rescue teamsareoftenstaffedbyvolunteersandmanyoperateserviceswithinthemountainousNationalParksaroundtheworld,suchasthelargevolunteerteambasedinEdaleinthePeakDistrict.
2.10 FundraisingisanotherregularvolunteertaskforNationalParks.TheFriendsofNationalParksorganisationsthataresoactiveinmanyoftheUKNationalParksraisemanythousandsofpoundsperannumforconservationandeducationprojects.
2.11 ArecentexampleinScotlandisthefundraisingthattookplacetoerecttheTomWeirstatueatBalmaha,LochLomond.Thiswasco-ordinatedbyavolunteergroupandraisedover£50,000.
2.12 Marketing and Administrationisanothervolunteeractivitythatoftensuitsoldermembersofthecommunityorthosewithparticularofficeskills.TheofficesoftheCooperatingAssociationsofmanyoftheUSNationalParksarefullofvolunteerswhoarepromotingmemberships,organisingeventsandproducingpromotionalliterature.
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
2.13 ThevolunteersformanyofthesetaskscanlivemanymilesfromtheNationalParksthemselvesandwhilstregularvolunteersmaybedrawnfromthelocalpopulation,manyotherscombinethevoluntarytaskswithweekendandlongerleisurebreaks.
2.14 SomeNationalParks,especiallyincountries
withlimitedpopulations,attractinternationalvolunteers,suchastheworkingpartiesthatcarryoutfootpathmaintenanceeverysummerontheThorsmorkareainsouthernIceland(seecasestudybelow).Thesevolunteerscontributetothelocaleconomyandareatypeofworkingholidaytourist.Scotland’sinternationallyrenownedlandscapesandwildlifehavethepotentialtoattractmanyofthesetypesofvolunteers–bringingskills,commitmentandmoneytoScotlandandintotheseruralareas.
Imageslefttoright/clockwise.
VolunteerInformationAssistantsatCanyonRim VisitorCentre,USA.
TheEdaleMountainRescueteaminthePeakDistrict NationalPark,England.
DonorswiththeTomWeirstatue,Balmaha,LochLomond.
Volunteersurveyorsatanarchaeologicalsiteinthe LakeDistrictNationalPark.
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3.1 RangerserviceshaveanestablishedroleinNationalParksandalltheUKNationalParkshavethem–someboostedbyanactivepoolofvolunteerrangers.RangersarethelinkbetweenthevisitingandlocalpublicandtheNationalParkAuthority.Rangershavelocalknowledgeaboutwhattosee,wheretogoandthewildlifeandhistoryoftheNationalPark.Answeringquestionsfromthepublicanddealingwithlocalcommunitiesareanimportantpartofaranger’sjob.NationalParkrangerslookoutforpotentialproblems,likestilesorsignpoststhatneedattentionandthenworkwithstaffandvolunteerstorepairthem.Theyalsoworktoreduceanyproblematicalissuesbetweenvisitorsandlocalpeopleandfarmersorlandowners.ManyrangerstakeschoolgroupsoutintotheNationalParkandworkwithvolunteerstoruneventsforthepublic.
3.2 Arangerserviceisoftenthefocusforthecreation,managementandpromotionofvolunteeringinaNationalPark.Thecostsofprovidingarangerservicecanbeoffsetmany-foldbythevalueofthevolunteerworkthatiscarriedout.Thevolunteercoordinatorroleisoneofthemostrewardingjobsthatrangerservicesprovide.
3.3 Full-timerangerservicescanalsobeaugmentedbyvolunteerswhocanthemselvescoordinatefurthervolunteersasappropriate.InthePeakDistrictNationalParkinEngland,forexample,thereisanactivevolunteerrangerforce.TheparkrangerserviceinthePeakDistrictprovidesacomprehensivetrainingcoursethatisopentopeoplefromtheageof18whowouldliketobecomevolunteerrangers.Volunteerrangersattendaseriesoftrainingcoursesandthenhavetosignuptoatleast20patrolsorsessionsofactivityperannum–manydomorethanthis.
3.Theimportanceof RangerServices forvolunteers
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
THESCOTTISHCAMPAIGNFORNATIONALPARKSANDTHEASSOCIATIONFORTHEPROTECTIONOFRURALSCOTLAND
04Schoolchildren enjoy learning with rangers and volunteers
4.1 EarlyinthehistoryoftheNationalParkmovementintheUSAandCanadatheconceptoftheCooperatingAssociationemerged.AfterthefoundingoftheUSNationalParksServicein1916severalnot-for-profitorganisationswereformedtosupporteducationalandinterpretativeprogramsandprojectsthatwerenotcoveredbygovernmentfunding,thefirstbeingtheYosemiteAssociationformedin1923.Thesenot-for-profitorganisationsbecameknownas“CooperatingAssociations”by1936,andwereformallyrecognisedbyCongressin1946andgiventaxexemptions.
4.2 HavingavoluntaryorganisationthatsupportstheworkofaNationalParkAuthorityhasnotbeenexactlycopiedintheUKtodate,withmanyofour“Friendsof”NationalParkSocietieshavingtheirrootsinthelobbyingforandprotectionoftheareathatthenbecamedesignatedasaNationalPark.TheirrelationshipwiththeParkAuthorityisthereforeattimesmoredetachedthanbeingadirectsupporteroftheworkoftheAuthority.NeverthelesstheycanencourageasignificantmembershipandpotentiallycarryoutarangeofworkthatsupportsNationalParkpurposes.
4.CooperatingAssociationsandFriendsGroups
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4.3 InScotlandthemostsuccessfulNationalParkfriendsgroupisthatfortheLochLomondandtheTrossachsNationalParkwhichhasagrowingmembershipandanannualturnoverofover£100,000.RecentorcurrentprojectssupportedbytheFriendsofLochLomondandtheTrossachs,manyofwhichinvolvedtheuseofvolunteers,include:
• AcomprehensiveParkGuide
• AbookletwiththeresultsofthefirsteverarchaeologicalsurveyofLochLomond‘sislands
• VideosandDVDsonlocalclansandthespecialqualitiesofthePark
• ARedSquirrelProjectwiththeCowalRedSquirrelGroup
• ImprovementsandsigningontheThreeLochsWay
• FootpathsandinterpretationatBracklinnFalls,Callander
• Way-markingandinformationforwalkersontheRobRoyWay
• HelpingsecurethefutureoftheArdroyOutdoorEducationCentre
• TheproductionofaneducationalinformationpackforthepaddlesteamerMaidoftheLoch.
4.4 FriendsGroupshavethepotentialtoattractfundingfromarangeofsourcesandincreasinglyfromlegacies,sometimesofsignificantsize.ThisisanotherexampleofhowvolunteeractivityinNationalParkscanbenefitthelocaleconomybyattractingfinanceintoalocalruralarea.
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
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5.1 Manyvolunteers,particularlythoseatthestartoftheircareers,arelookingforexperienceandqualificationstohelpthemobtainpaidemployment.VolunteeringwithaNationalParkprojectisanidealwayforsometogetthis
stepup.
5.2 ForexampleTheConservationVolunteers(TCV,formerlyBTCV)carryoutsignificantvolunteerworkintheUKNationalParksinpartnershipwiththeNationalParkAuthoritiesortheNationalTrusts.Theyprovidevolunteerswiththechancetogainskillsandgetrecognitionfortheirwork.
5.3 TCVrunawiderangeofshortcourseseveryyearwithexperiencedinstructorsteachingpracticalskills,suchasbuildingadrystonewall,creatingapondorwoodlandmanagementtasks.TCVofferscoursestoprogressayoungperson’scareer,aspartofseekingacareerchangeintotheenvironmentalsector,aspriorlearningaspartofalargerqualification,orjustforenjoyment.EveryonecompletinganyofthetrainingreceivesanAchievementCertificate,oranAttendanceCertificatefromTheConservationVolunteers.
5.4 TCVScotlandcanofferasuiteofaccreditedlearningopportunities,predominantlyforyoungpeople.TheyarearegisteredcentrewiththeScottishQualificationsAuthority(SQA),NorthernCollegeforFurtherEducation(NCFE)andwithYouthScotland,enablingTCVtodelivertheYouthAchievementandDynamicYouthAwards.TheycanalsoofferLANTRA(landbasedandenvironmentalindustries)accreditedtrainingtoyoungpeoplethroughtheirtrainingprogramme.
5.Training,qualificationsandcareerenhancement
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
5.5 Ithasbeensuggestedbysomeinthepastthatvolunteerscantakeworkawayfrompaidemployees,butitisgenerallyacceptedthatthetypesofworkthatvolunteerscarryoutinNationalParkswouldnotbedonewithouttheirvoluntaryeffort.Thereissomeindicationthatintimesofpublicbudgetrestraintthereispressuretogetsometaskscarriedoutbyvolunteersthatwerepreviouslytheroleofpaidstaff.
6.1 Volunteeringisgoodforpeopleaswellasfortheenvironmentandallseriousevaluativestudieshavecometothisconclusion.Forexamplein2008astudyfortheForestryCommissionandScottishForestryTrustconcluded:
“…volunteersarenotonlymotivatedforenvironmentalreasonsbutalsobythepersonalbenefitstheygainfromtheoutdooropportunitiesandthesocialnatureofenvironmentalactivities.Volunteerslearnnewskillsandmeetotherswhileimprovingtheirhealth,well-beingandqualityoflife.Environmentalvolunteeringoffersarangeofopportunitiestosuitpeoplewithdiverseinterestsandabilities.Theenvironmentprovidesacommonlanguageforallandasharedpurposeindependentofgender,ethnicbackground,age,physicalability,mentalfunctioning,socio-economicstatusorknowledgeofenvironmentalmanagement”
6.2 Theresearch,basedonforestryvolunteersinScotland,concludedthatthehealthbenefitscouldbeclassifiedasfollows:
• BeingOutdoors–freshairandcontactwithnature
• Physical–stamina,strength,fitnessandweightmanagement
• Mental–restoration,calmingandreflective
• Social–meetingpeople,networksandfeelingpartofacommunity
• Spiritual–awe,beautyandwonder.
6.Healthbenefits
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
6.3 FocussingonrecentresearchonenvironmentalvolunteeringinCornwall–HarrisonandM.andC.Leyshon(2012)–haveshownthepositivementalandphysicalbenefitsofthistypeofoutdoorvolunteering.Oneoftheirkeyconclusionsis:
“Participationinenvironmentalvolunteerismprovidesaframeworktoproduceextensiveshiftsinpsychologicalandfunctionalstates.Thecontextofenvironmentalvolunteeringisparamounttothisprocess.Throughbeingclosertonaturewithinconstructivesocialinteractionsandactions,participationunitestheduelbenefitsofwellbeingandenvironmentalchangeinasingleaction.Thishasextensiveimplicationsforcommunities,places,peopleandpolitics.Ourstudydemonstratesthatenvironmentalvolunteeringisvitallycapableofimprovinglivesandlivelihoods.”
6.4 Itisnoteasytoputafinancialvalueonthehealthbenefitsofcountrysidevolunteeringbutitclearlyhasasignificantroletoplayinpreventingsomephysicalandmentalillnessesandhelpingotherstorecover.Theriseofobesityisoneobviousareawherethephysicalworkofconservationvolunteeringhasrelevance.
6.5 ArecentNHSReport(2012)hasestimatedthatforjustfiveconditions(Post-menopausalbreastcancer,lowergastro-intestinalcancer,cerebro-vasculardisease,cardio-vasculardiseaseandtype2diabetes).inoneyearalone,theburdenofphysicalinactivityintheUKcausedover35,000deaths,3.1%ofmorbidityandmortalityintheUKandaddedover£1.06billiontothedirecthealthcostburdenontheNHS.
6.6 MoreNationalParksinScotlandcouldprovidetheadministrativeframeworkandstimulusforagrowthintheopportunitiesforcountrysidevolunteeringandmakeapositivecontributiontothephysicalandmentalwellbeingoftheScottishpopulation.
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FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
7.1 ThispaperhasalreadyshownthatthevalueofvolunteeringactivitiesinNationalParkscannotbesimplydescribedinfinancialterms,asthereareclearbenefitstotheenvironmentandtoindividuals,whichcannoteasilybequantified.Neverthelessitispossibletomakesomeestimationsofthevalueofthevolunteeractivityintermsofthecostofprovidingtheservicesiftheyhadhadtohavebeenpurchased.
7.2 DEFRA(2012)carriedoutanassessmentofthebenefitsoftheNationalParksinEnglandandwithinthatstudylookedatthevalueofvolunteertime.Table1quotesthreeexampleswithdatafrom2008/9.
7.3 ThereisacostinprovidingthevolunteeropportunitiesandinthePeakDistrictthiswasestimatedat£228,450meaningthatthepostivecost-benefitratiowasabout3to1.
7.Thevalueofwork
7.4 TheLakeDistrictNationalParkAuthorityrecorded4,669volunteerdaysin2013/14whichcouldbevaluedatleast£212,440–applyingtheminimumwageof£6.50perhour.TheseareonlythevolunteersworkingdirectlytotheNationalParkAuthorityanddonotincludethevolunteertimeofthoseworkingonprojectsintheNationalParkfortheNationalTrust,WildlifeTrustsandothercountrysideorganisations,whichareextensive.
7.5 Inadditiontothedirectvalueoftheworkthereisalsothelesseasytoquantifyvaluetoboththeenvironmentandtotheindividualshealthandwell-being.EncouragingactiveparticipationincountrysidevolunteeringactivitywillhaveapositiveeffectonreducingcoststotheScottishhealthservices.
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Table1
Dartmoor PeakDistrict Northumberland NumberofVolunteerdaysin2008/9 2,140 10,116 1,250
Numberofvolunteerhours 14,980 70,812 8,750(assuming 7 hour days)
Valueofvolunteersusing £165,229 £781,056 £96,518UKhourlypayrates
Valueofvolunteersusing £88,831 £419,915 £51,888minimumwagerates
Source:DEFRA(2012)
8.1 ItisreasonabletosurmisethatthecreationofeachnewNationalParkinScotlandwouldcreateanincreaseinvolunteeringopportunitiesandparticipation.Notallofthisvolunteeractivitywouldbenewvolunteering,assomemaybedisplacedfromothervolunteeractivitiesinthisfieldorinthesamegeographicalarea.ButtheexperienceofboththeLochLomondandtheTrossachsandtheCairngormNationalParksindicatesthatanewNationalParkAuthoritywillencourageanincreaseinvolunteeractivity.
8.2 TherewouldbeadvantagesinthisincreasedvolunteeringbothforScottishpeopleandforthelocalenvironment.TheattractionofvolunteersfromoutwithScotlandwouldalsobeofvalue–particularlyintheremoterruralareas–asthiswouldbringabenefittotheeconomythroughatypeofworkingholidaytourism.
8.3 Table2estimatestheamountandvalueoftheextravolunteeringthatcouldbegeneratedbyeachoftheproposednewNationalParkssuggestedintheSCNP/APRSNationalParks
8.HowmoreNationalParks inScotlandcould stimulatevolunteering
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StrategyforScotlandreport(2013).Thefiguresareconservativeestimatestotakeintoaccountsomedisplacedvolunteeractivity.TheyarebasedontheamountofvolunteeractivitygeneratedbyotherNationalParkAuthoritiesintheUK,withaconsiderationofthegeographicalremotenessandsizeofthelocaldaytrippopulationfortheproposedNationalParksinScotland.
8.4 TheseestimatesindicatethattheoverallvalueofthevolunteeringcreatedbythefulldevelopmentofthesevennewNationalParksinScotlandproposedbySCNP/APRScouldbeintheregionof£500,000p.a.SomeoftheorganisationofthisvolunteeringcouldbetackledcentrallyshouldaScottishNationalParksServicebecreated,althoughtherewouldalmostinevitablybetheneedforlocalsupervisionandorganisationineachparkarea.
8.5 Theaboveestimatesdonotincludethesignificantvalueoftheworktothevolunteersthemselvesandtotheenvironment,bothofwhichareverydifficulttoquantifybutcouldincreasethetruevalueofthevolunteeractivitybytwoorthreefold.
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
(1)Overnightstaysofvolunteersvaluedat£50aday/nighttolocaleconomy(2)Grossvaluecalculatedat£70perday(£10perhour)forvolunteertime(3)Costsestimatedat30%ofoverallgrossvalue(stafftimeandoverheads)(4)Valueofworkpluslocaleconomicvalueofovernightstaysminuscostsofprovision.
Table2:ThePotentialValueofVolunteeringintheproposedNationalParksinScotland
Proposed Annualdays %of Numberof Valueof Grossvalue Costof TotalvalueNational ofvoluntary volunteering days nightstays ofvolunteer voluntary ofvolunteeringPark activity involving overnight tolocal work.p.a. provision tothearea nightstays stays economyp.a.(1) p.a.(2) p.a.(3) p.a.(4)
Galloway 2000 20 400 £20,000 £140,000 £42,000 £118,000
Cheviots 750 20 150 £7,500 £52,500 £15,750 £44,250
Nevis 1500 40 600 £30,000 £105,000 £31,500 £103,500GlenCoeBlackMount
Coastal 1000 50 500 £25,000 £70,000 £21,000 £74,000Marine
GlenAffric 750 30 225 £11,250 £52,500 £15,750 £48,000
WesterRoss 750 40 300 £15,000 £52,500 £15,750 £51,750
Harris 500 60 300 £15,000 £35,000 £10,500 £39,500
TOTALS 7250 2475 £123,750 £507,500 £152,250 £479,000
9.1 NationalParksgeneratevolunteeringopportunitiesthroughthestimulusandorganisationalframeworkoftheNationalParkAuthorities.ThecreationofmoreNationalParksinScotlandwouldcreateagrowthinvolunteeringintheseareas.
9.2 EncouragingmorevolunteeringintheNationalParkareaswouldbeofbenefittotheenvironment,totheindividualswhovolunteerandtosomeextenttothelocaleconomy.
9.3 Volunteeropportunitiesinremoteruralareasattractsatypeofworkingtourist,bringingwiththemtheeconomicbenefitsoftheirspending,especiallyiftheystayovernightforsomedays.
9.4 ThispaperhasestimatedthatthevalueoftheworkthatcouldbestimulatedbydevelopingallsevenofthenewNationalParksrecommendedintheUnfinishedBusiness–AParksStrategyforScotlandreportcouldbewortharound
£0.5millionperannumplusthehealthbenefitstothosetakingpartandanassociatedreductionincoststotheHealthServices.AdditionalvolunteeringwouldalsobestimulatedbutorganisedbyvoluntarybodiesintheNationalParkareas.
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
9.Conclusions
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TheLakeDistrictNationalParkAuthorityhasaround500registeredvolunteersfromallwalksoflife.Theygivetheirtime,skillsandenergytohelplookafterthelandscape,enablevisitorstoenjoyitsspecialqualitiesandsupportthewiderworkoftheNationalParkAuthority.In2013/14itwasestimatedthatthesevolunteersgave4,669volunteerdays.Thecostsoforganisingthevolunteersresultedinover3timesthatfigureinthecalculatedvalueoftheirwork.
Volunteershavetobeaged16orover,andthereisnoupperagelimit.TheNationalParkAuthorityalsorunaYoungRangerprogrammeforyoungpeopleaged14to18whoarekeentogetinvolvedwithveryhandsonpracticalvolunteering.
Volunteersarerecruitedintomanydifferentroleswithvaryingtimecontributions–rangingfromonedayforoneoffactivitiessuchasmarshallingevents,to20daysayearforsomeofthemorespecialistroleslikeLakeRangers.
Park Management VolunteersarerecruitedwhentheParkAuthorityhavetasksforthemtodo,andintorolesthatmatchvolunteers’skills,knowledge,experienceandmotivation.Volunteer Events and Guided Walk LeadersarealsousedbytheParkAuthority.Archaeology Volunteershavealsobeenrecruitedwhentherearespecificprojectsandarchaeologicalevents.
APPENDIX
SomeexperiencefromelsewhereLAKEDISTRICTNATIONALPARK,ENGLAND
APPENDIX1
The Lake District Young Rangersprogrammefor14to19yearoldsishelpingtotransformthelivesoffuturegenerationsandhelpingthemcarefortheLakeDistrictlandscape.WorkingalongsideNationalParkstaff,volunteersandpartners,theydevelopamonthlyprogrammeofactivitiessuchaspracticalconservationtasksandrecreationalactivities.
TheBrockholeCentreandCountryParkmanagedbytheNPAalsohasarangeofvolunteerprogrammes.Theseare:
• Anew Family Ranger programme helpsfamiliesdiscover,exploreandconservethecountryparkarea.ThevolunteersarethemainpointofcontactforallFamilyRangeractivities,fromlakeshorelitterpickstopracticalconservationtasks,liaisingwiththeleadersandcoordinatingattendance.Thevolunteersmaybeaskedtoleadactivitiessuchasponddippingorsimpleguidedtrails.
• Wayfinder volunteersarebasedatWaterheadandBownessBaypiers,onedayamonth,greetingvisitorswhoaretravellingonWindermereLakeCruisesboatsandencouragingthemtovisitBrockhole.
• Brockhole Ambassadorshelpoutonweekends
andduringschoolholidaystoensurethatvisitorstoBrockhole,VisitorCentrehaveaworldclassvisitorexperience.TheywelcomvisitorsandgivethemtheinformationtomakethemostoftheirvisitalongwithothertaskssuchasdrivingtheBrockmobileandhelpingwithcrazygolfhire.Thevolunteersalsogetinvolvedwithmanyofthespecialeventstakingplacethroughouttheseason.
• Garden and Ground Maintenance VolunteersplayakeypartinmaintainingthegardensandgroundsatBrockholebycompletingtaskssuchasplanting,paintingandwallrepairs.
Formoreinformationsee: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/caringfor/volunteering
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Project Tongariro(TongariroNaturalHistorySocietyInc)wasestablishedin1984topromoteawiderunderstandingofthenaturalprocessesandhumanhistoryofTongariroNationalPark.TheSocietywasendowedwithasubstantialMemorialFundinmemoryofseveralparkstaffwhodiedinahelicopteraccidenton9December1982.
ProjectTongariroisdevotedtoimplementingawidevarietyofprojectsandactivitieswhichhelppeopletounderstandandappreciatethespecialplaceTongariroNationalPark,adualworldheritagepark,hasintheworld.
WorkinginpartnershipwiththeDepartmentofConservation(DOC),ProjectTongariro’svisionistopromoteawiderknowledgeandunderstandingoftheflora,fauna,geology,climateandthenaturalandhumanhistoryofTongariroNationalParkinparticularandtoconservationingeneral.AdeeprespectforNewZealand’swildplacesandrecognitionoftheintangiblespiritualvaluesassociatedwiththemunderliesthisvision.
Theirworkfocusesonfourkeyprojectareas:biodiversity,history,educationandrecreation.ProjectsintheParkhaverangedfromongoingpestcontrolwork,therestorationoftheHapuawhenuaViaduct,initiatingtheTussockTraverseevent,totheproductionoftheTongariroAlpineCrossingPocketRangerApp.
ThepublicareencouragedtoasupporttheProjectbybecomingamember,adoptingahectareatLakeRotopounamuormakingadonation.Theyofferopportunitiesforpeopletogethandsonwithconservationasvolunteers,goonmembers’fieldtripstolittle-knownpartsoftheParkorsupportprojectsbymakingafinancialcontribution.In2013/14theprojecthadthreefulltimestaffwith279voluntarymembersand808supporters.Thevolunteerscarriedoutanestimated625persondaysofworkwhichwasvaluedat$93,750.Theorganisationhadanincomeof$210,000whichincludedagrantfromtheDOC.
ThisvolunteerbodyhasmanyofthecharacteristicsofaCooperatingAssociationaspioneeredbytheUSANationalParks.
Formoreinformationsee:www.tongariro,org.nz
SomeexperiencefromelsewhereTONGARIRONATIONALPARK,NEWZEALAND
APPENDIX1
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APPENDIX1
The Thórsmörk trail volunteer programmewasestablishedbyIceland’sForestServicein2012.ItsmainroleistoassistwiththemaintenanceofthehikingtrailsinThórsmörkandGoðaland.Theprogrammewasestablishedinresponsetothegrowingneedforpracticalmaintenanceworkinthearea.Threevolunteerteamsareactivethroughoutthesummermonths.Aswellasongoingmaintenancetasks,animportantpartoftheirworkisthedevelopmentofnewtechniquesfortrailconstructionanderosioncontrol.
Althoughtheprogrammeisyoung,themanagementteamhasover15yearsexperienceofmaintaininghikingtrailswithvolunteerteamsonsitesthroughoutIceland.VolunteersworkalongsidestaffandtrainersfromtheForestService.Theworkisinthreeareas–trailmaintenance,trailmappinganderosioncontrol.
Theycurrentlyhostabout50internationalvolunteerseachseason.Volunteersareselecteddirectlyfromapplicationsandnonotpayaparticipationfee.Theyarecommittedto“freevolunteering”butareprovidedwithfoodandcampingbarntypeaccommodation.
ThemajorityofthevolunteerscometoIcelandfromEuropeandNorthAmerica.TheyareonaformofworkingholidayandmakeacontributiontothelocaleconomyofIceland.SomecombinetheirvolunteeringwithalongerholidayinIceland.
Formoreinformationsee:www.trailteam.is
THORSMORKTRAILVOLUNTEERS,ICELAND
A typical group of Thorsmork Trail volunteers
Volunteers being briefed at Thorsmork before a days work
Someexperiencefromelsewhere
THESCOTTISHCAMPAIGNFORNATIONALPARKSANDTHEASSOCIATIONFORTHEPROTECTIONOFRURALSCOTLAND
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Unfinished Business – A National Parks Strategy for Scotland.
ScottishCampaignforNationalParksandAssociationfortheProtectionofRuralScotland(2013).
Volunteer Management in European Parks
ResearchonimpactofvolunteeringinEuropeanprotectedareas.
JohnThomson,EuroparcConsulting(2013).
Environmental volunteering: motivations, barriers and benefits.
ReporttotheScottishForestryTrustandForestryCommission.
LizO’Brien,MardieTownsendandMatthewEbden,(July2008).
Environmental Volunteering
FosteringWellbeingforPeople,PlacesandCommunities.
R.Harrison,M.LeyshonandC.Leyshon(2012).
National Parks.
Assessmentofbenefits–workingpaper.
DEFRA(2011).
Let’s Get Moving – A physical activity care pathway.
NHS(2012).
REFERENCES
FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDVOLUNTEERING
THESCOTTISHCAMPAIGNFORNATIONALPARKSANDTHEASSOCIATIONFORTHEPROTECTIONOFRURALSCOTLAND
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National Parks recommended by SCNP and APRS 2013
MapreproducedbypermissionofOrdnanceSurvey,licencenumber100053751.*ForlayoutpurposestheShetlandIslandsarenotshowninthecorrectgeographicalposition.
If you would like further information on the activities of the Scottish Campaign for National Parksplease contact :John Thomson – Secretaryemail [email protected] visit the website www.scnp.org.uk
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For information on the activities of theAssociation for the Protection of Rural Scotlandplease contact :John Mayhew – Directoremail [email protected] visit the website www.aprs.scot
design / Stone Circle / e: [email protected] – Glen Nevis ©SNH