Goodbye 2020, hello 2021 - another big year for National Parks in England and Wales

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** Goodbye 2020, Hello 2021...
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Welcome to our last newsletter of the year. Before we shift our attention onto the year ahead, we wanted to reflect on the past 12 months.

2020 has proved a challenging year for us - as it has for most - but as a small, agile organisation we made it through, and have had the chance to change how we do things.

We took some of our activity online, which had the benefit of not only saving money and time, but also of engaging with new audiences. It was also a year of key staff changes - with us saying goodbye to many of our team and welcoming some new faces, giving us another opportunity to revisit how we approach things.

Amid all the uncertainty, we continued to be a voice for National Parks with Government, for example:
* Leading the ‘Glover Coalition’ of NGOs including the Wildlife Trusts, Ramblers, National Trust, RSPB, YHA, Nature-friendly Farming Network and the Open Spaces Society in urging the Government to respond to last year's Glover Review ([link removed])
* Producing a position statement on new National Parks ([link removed](FINAL)%20CNP%20position%20on%20new%20National%20Parks(1).pdf) and reflecting on the role that National Parks could, and should, play in a Green Recovery ([link removed])
* Highlighting the need to strengthen planning protections for National Parks in our response to the Draft Planning White Paper (read our consultation responses here ([link removed]) )
* Submitting evidence to the Transport Select Committee emphasising the importance of sustainable modes of transport in making National Parks accessible for everyone while protecting these valuable landscapes

(Ennerdale in Lake District National Park / Copyright: Andrew Locking)

We will, of course, continue our work to give National Parks a bigger voice with Government in 2021, as it unveils more of its Green Recovery plans; and when the UN Climate Change Conference ([link removed]) (COP 26) arrives in the UK in November.

We will soon be launching our annual Park Protector Awards and Photography Competition and are exploring new ways to engage people with protecting and improving our National Parks - more on that in the New Year. Watch this space...

Finally, 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the first designated National Parks in the UK - Peak District ([link removed]) , Snowdonia ([link removed]) , Lake District ([link removed]) and Dartmoor ([link removed]) - and we've had a sneak preview of some of the celebrations planned. We'll be reflecting on this via our communications channels too, so please do join in!


** Thank you for your support this Christmas!
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A big thank you to everyone who supported our #13DaysofChristmas campaign ([link removed]) , whether you made a donation or liked or shared one of our social media posts - and to our members and Friends ([link removed]) who support us week-in, week-out. We are a very small charity with just four members of staff but we have big ambitions when it comes to campaigning to protect and improve National Parks in England and Wales. Together we can make a big difference. There is still time to donate to the campaign, simply visit the donation page on our website ([link removed]) . Thanks again.


** Countryside Jobs Service partnership
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Campaign for National Parks has been chosen as Countryside Jobs Service's (CJS) featured charity for 2021. CJS works across the environmental, nature, wildlife and countryside conservation sector. Their website carries details of news, events, feature articles from industry insiders and recruitment within this sector. Read our first article for them here ([link removed]) .


** Countryside Code refresh - have your say
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In response to a rise in the number of people getting out into the countryside and exploring our National Parks, Natural England ([link removed]) shared a shorter version of the Countryside Code ([link removed]) to engage new visitors this summer. It is now planning on refreshing the Countryside Code and wants your views. Have your say before the consultation closes at 5pm on 11 January 2021 via this link ([link removed]) .


** We a re now on Instagram!
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We recently joined Instagram ([link removed]) ! Please do follow us there @Campaign4Parks ([link removed]) , for lots of glorious photos from National Parks in England and Wales. We are also active on Facebook ([link removed]) , Twitter ([link removed]) & LinkedIn ([link removed]) .

And finally...

Our blog ([link removed]) features articles about issues concerning National Parks from a range of guest contributors. If you would like to write for Campaign for National Parks, do get in touch with us via email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Blog%20contribution)

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