Malhamdale Environment Group (MEG)
MALHAMDALE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP (MEG) is a sub-group of Kirkby Malham Parish Council, established in 2019 to promote environmentally friendly activities within Malhamdale. MEG has around 40 members and meets monthly.
We aim to help tackle the interlinked climate and nature crises, through helping to conserve and enhance the special characteristics of Malhamdale. Members volunteer for specific projects, regularly reported in the Kirkby Malham Parish Magazine.
MEG works in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, National Trust and many others. Key activities include:
- Tree-planting and maintenance: MEG helps plant and maintain native trees – in the right places! We highlight the many benefits of tree and hedge planting and support natural regeneration of trees.
- Windy Pike Tree Nursery has been established to grow trees from seed of local provenance in partnership with a local farmer.
- Malhamdale Curlew Project (MCP): Aims to discover (with support from RSPB, the British Trust for Ornithology and YDNPA), how many pairs of Curlew and other waders (Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redstarts and Snipe), are nesting in Malhamdale, reasons for their decline, and, engaging with farmers, try to address these.
- Eyes on the Bog: MEG is surveying the state of recovery of degraded peatlands (wildlife habitat essential for carbon capture) in several upland sites in the Dales (in association with the Yorkshire Peat Partnership).
- Invasive species: MEG carries out practical action to remove invasive Himalayan Balsam from around the riverside at Hanlith and Airton.
- Recycling and reuse issues: MEG members lead initiatives to collect and dispose of “difficult to recycle” products on behalf of residents – notably pill blister packs and wine corks.
- Green Energy issues: There is huge interest in achieving “Net Zero” and green energy issues in the Dale. We are a member of and engage with the North Yorkshire Climate Coalition who support local initiatives to become carbon negative.
As a group we meet once a month, generally on Thursdays in venues around Malhamdale. Meetings include speakers on various topics and on-going business. If you are a resident with an interest in the environment:
- Join the WhatsApp Group where we share news and information.
- Sign up as a volunteer to help with practical activities.
- Come along to our meetings to find out what’s happening – you will be very welcome!
Please email [email protected] for more information.
