David Bond, Director, Project Wild Thing:
"As a child I spent my summer holidays in the Yorkshire Dales, playing on the hillsides that my mother roamed across as a child. I learned to kill and eat rabbits, spot birds and watch stars in the Dales. For a few months every summer, the hills and streams around Gunnerside were my playground and school.
I return every summer with my own family. Earlier this year we were walking on Gunnerside Gill. My four year old son, Albie, lost his footing and fell a little way down the hillside. I ran down to check he hadn't broken any bones, to find a broad grin on his face. 'Can I do it again?' he asked. It's hard to imagine he would be as enthusiastic and excited rolling down the hill in our local Lewisham park.
The fifteen national parks in the UK are the nation's emergency release vales. They play a vital role not only in preserving nature, but also in stimulating children's interest in it. I know that my children's summer holidays would be the poorer for not getting to explore the Yorkshire Dales National Park. That's why I love our National Parks."
Journalist and presenter Angela Rippon:
TV presenter, author and adventurer Simon Reeve:
Adventurer and Chief Scout Bear Grylls:
Indie rock band British Sea Power:
Filmmaker Chris Chapman:
TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham:
Author Dame Margaret Drabble:
Journalist and presenter Esther Rantzen CBE:
Author Gervase Phinn:
Landscape Photographer Joe Cornish:
Broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby:
England rugby star Jonny Wilkinson:
Actor Kevin Whately:
TV presenter Michaela Strachan:
Author Peter Friend:
Historian and author Dr Ian Mortimer:
Businessman and Eden Project founder Sir Tim Smit:
Shadow Minister for the Natural Environment, Barry Gardiner MP:
Mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE:
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