THE car company BMW has put forward plans to invest in sustainable infrastructure and social projects in and around Dartmoor.

The investment is part of the company's 'Recharge in Nature' projects. Taking place across the UK in the South Downs, Snowdonia, North York Moors, Dartmoor and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Parks, the Recharge in Nature projects will create local projects that hope to promote more sustainable tourism, enhance wellbeing and help restore nature and biodiversity.

BMW plans to establish projects in all the remaining National Parks up until November 2025.

For Dartmoor, BMW plans to create a new youth nature programme to promote opportunities to new and less frequent visitors of Dartmoor from surrounding urban areas, targeting Plymouth, Torbay, and Exeter. The project aims to enable engagement with young people who do not currently have access to Dartmoor and provides them with the opportunity to connect with nature and support nature restoration, so it can remain a breathing space for the next generation to understand, explore and protect. 

This in turn will help raise awareness and drive interest in nature and in some instances the desire to go into the field of nature conservation or working within the outdoors sector.

Alongside this partnership, plans are underway to enhance the Electric Vehicle charging network across the UK National Parks.

The installation of Pod Point recharging posts at key locations within the National Parks will support access to these beauty spots for the lowest emitting and quietest vehicles.

Chris Brownridge, CEO, BMW UK, commented: 'Sustainability and community are at the heart of our business and, with biodiversity and the health of nature more important than ever, we’re delighted to support a range of local projects within the National Parks, helping preserve these precious landscapes for future generations. The UK’s amazing National Parks are far more than just green spaces, they act as vital hubs for communities as places of learning and wellbeing.

'This partnership is part of a wider decarbonisation and circularity strategy that’s been committed to by the BMW Group; taking responsibility for developing new solutions for our vehicles and beyond. The National Parks projects takes this a step further in helping communities and nature thrive in harmony, supporting both people and the environment simultaneously.'

Naomi Conway, Director, National Parks Partnerships, commented: 'Our partnership with BMW UK is helping the National Parks to be better connected, more biodiverse and increasingly sustainable, benefitting both local communities and tourists. These projects highlight the different ways that National Parks, with the right support, can deliver so much for nature and for people.'