EVER wanted to join in or help with the work of caring for Dartmoor?

The Dartmoor National Park Authority is strongly committed to promoting equality of opportunity, including opportunities for participation and volunteering.

The authority is particularly fortunate to benefit from advice and views from 'Dartmoor for All', a special interest group of disabled users and people with a commitment to equal access.

If you enjoy Dartmoor's network of public rights of way and access land, you may be interested in the work of the Dartmoor Local Access Forum.

The forum is an independent advisory body, whose purpose is to give advice to the authority and other organisations, on how to make the countryside of Dartmoor more accessible and enjoyable for open air recreation, in ways which address environmental, social and economic interests.

Any organisations or special interest groups that would like to be involved in debating policy issues relating to Dartmoor National Park may be interested in the National Park Forum on http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/national-park-forum">www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/national-park-forum

The DNPA's voluntary warden scheme (http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/vi-volunteers">www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/vi-volunteers) was set up in 1996 and is managed by the Ranger Service.

Currently there are 40, generally locally based, wardens who assist the rangers with their duties and provide an extra element of liaison with the community in the area to which they are assigned.

The authority also actively supports a number of volunteer groups which achieve conservation land management objectives with the help of volunteers.

These groups are generally allied to a particular community/area or to specific organisations active within the national park.

The Ranger Service also organises occasional practical work days for anyone to join in with.

The Edward Morshead Award (http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/au-edward-morshead-award">www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/au-edward-morshead-award) is presented in recognition of significant contributions to the authority's statutory purposes of protecting, maintaining and enhancing the scenic beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of Dartmoor and promoting the understanding and enjoyment of the area's special qualities.

The Dartmoor Preservation Association also offers a special recognition award (http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/au-edward-morshead-award#au-dpaaward">www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/aboutus/au-participation/au-edward-morshead-award#au-dpaaward) for outstanding conservation work carried out by young people — less than 21 years old.

• Visit websites included in this news story to find out how you can become involved with the DNPA.