The Yorkshire Dales Society runs an annual scheme, The Ken Willson Award to recognise and reward outstanding achievement by young people in the Dales in conservation, culture or community work. Read more about this in the news section.

Recently the Society helped to establish the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Group to campaign for affordable and more frequent bus and train services to and within the Dales, saving the Winter Dales Bus 805 service which was threatened with closure.

The YDS played a leading role in the establishment of the Yorkshire Dales Green Lane Alliance which has resulted in Traffic Orders to protect Mastiles Lanes and other ancient green roads in the Dales from serious erosion.

The Society shares its understanding of the complexities of the Dales landscape and cultural heritage with a wider audience, producing the Yorkshire Dales Review, a publication which raises awareness of Dales conservation issues.

The Society's annual programme of winter walks and talks highlights areas of concern for future YDS activity. The Yorkshire Dales Society provided independent representation in putting together the draft of the National Park Plan. For forthcoming events please see the events section.

The Society established the Sharing the Dales Scheme to help cover the transport costs of underprivileged groups who would not otherwise be able to visit the Dales.

The YDS encourage the development of wealth-creating opportunities sustainable within a protected landscape by helping to promote local business and enterprise initiatives.