The BMC campaigns on issues ranging from protecting and improving access to our countryside and coast to planning issues affecting the landscapes we cherish.
We lobby locally and nationally to bring these issues to the attention of government and stakeholders to ensure the continual enjoyment of the outdoors and to protect the rights of all climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers
Avid hill walker Greg Mulholland, Member of Parliament for Leeds North West is our current link to government within Sport England's parliamentary sports fellowship scheme. The BMC is also the secretariat of the Mountaineering All Party Parliamentary Group.
Latest BMC campaigns
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We want to help MPs and Peers to become champions for outdoor recreation and assist more people to get active outdoors. The benefits of outdoor recreation to health, wellbeing and the economy are clear and government departments need to work together to maximise the potential.
Download our leaflet for more information.
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Mend Our Mountains
The BMC's campaign to fund eight urgent upland repair projects on some of Britain’s most iconic peaks is the most successful crowdfunding appeal for mountain paths ever, reaching its target of £100,000.
Working with eight national parks, the campaign will fund repairs to damaged paths on some of Britain’s most popular peaks, including Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ingleborough, Kinder Scout and part of the Brecon Beacons Horseshoe, as well as contribute towards vital repairs to moorland on Dartmoor, Exmoor and the North York Moors.
See the campaign's Crowdfunder page to view video and see how much money was raised.
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Say no to Pylons in the Lake District
The BMC is supporting the Friends of the Lake District campaign, Say no to Pylons in the Lake District. National Grid is proposing to run 400kV cables around the west of Cumbria from Carlisle in the north to Heysham in the south. In the worst-case scenario, this would mean 24km of pylons and overhead lines within the Lake District National Park. We’re campaigning to stop these pylons being erected in the National Park and calling for power cables to be put underground.
The BMC’s vision is to conserve and protect the mountaineering, climbing and hill walking landscapes of England and Wales for people and nature. We are supporting the campaign to help protect the character of one of our most treasured landscapes from proposals which would significantly damage its recreational and amenity value.
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Vote for the Outdoors
Let's make this the Outdoor Election. Ahead of the general election on 7 May, the BMC is challenging politicians to recognise the huge value of outdoor recreation in their manifestos and policies, and become genuine advocates for the outdoors protecting our countryside and green spaces.
We're encouraging our members to challenge political party candidates to answer 5 simple questions, highlighting where we think the next Government needs to focus.
Download our handy door hanger as a reminder.
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Valuing outdoor recreation
The BMC has teamed up with nine other leading outdoor organisations to urge MPs and Peers to act as champions for the outdoors and include outdoor recreation in party manifestos. The organisations have set out six joint key proposals for government action on the outdoors ahead of the next general election.
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Challenge events in the uplands
What are the real impacts of challenges like the Three Peaks and how widely are they felt? This conference will explore the benefits, complexities and issues of challenge and charity events in the uplands as part of a wider BMC commitment to addressing the dilemmas and problems they present.
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Open Wales
Our campaign for a more accessible Wales. To help raise awareness of the Welsh Government’s radical review of the law surrounding access to the outdoors.
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Britain on Foot
The BMC is a key supporter of this campaign to get more people active outdoors, led by the Outdoor Industries Association.
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Active Outdoors
Helping people gain essential skills for an outdoor life through our range of affordable Active Outdoors courses subsidised by Sport England.
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BMC Access Manifesto
Sets out our principles and proposals for government action on access to the countryside of England and Wales.
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Landscape Charter
Sets out our role and responsibility in campaigning to protect landscapes from developments that may damage their character and detract from their recreational and amenity value.
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Helmets campaign
Raising awareness about climbing helmets. Aims to challenge existing views on helmets and encourage people to re-examine their reasons for wearing one or not.
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Better bolts campaign
Supports applications to replace old bolts and belays to help make our sport climbs safer.
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We are currently working with Wildlife and Countryside Link on a joint landscape vision asking government to do more to protect our most precious landscapes.
The BMC supports these campaigns
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Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code
We’re proud to be supporting the Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code; a FREE online resource bank for all those who work with children in a whole range of outdoor activities.
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Previous BMC campaigns
How can you get involved?
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Attend your local BMC area meeting and get involved with local initiatives
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Contact us if you think there is an issue on which we should run a campaign
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Check our websites for details of current campaigns. Perhaps you know of other organisations who might be able to assist in our campaigns
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Contact residents, local businesses or local politicians and councillors in your area to help raise the profile of the campaign. Seek advice from your local BMC area.
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Write to your local MP, or in Wales your Assembly Member. This can often be affective outlining the nature of the campaign and the issues at stake. The BMC has written an Access Manifesto which may be useful to mention.
Consultation responses
The BMC responds to consultations of numerous government and arm's length bodies both directly and through the Wildlife and Countryside Link (WCL) and Wales Environment Link (WEL) of which the BMC is a member. During 2013/14 we have made formal contributions to the following consultations. If you would like a copy of the BMC's full response to any of these consultations please email BMC access & conservation officer Dr Cath Flicroft at cath@thebmc.co.uk
Position statements
We will be adding our position statements here. For starters here's The BMC's position on:
Campaigns by other outdoor organisations
Working in coalition with other groups can often mean greater support and knowledge. Here are links to other organisations and their campaign work:
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