Rose brings expertise in policy, advocacy, and campaigning from a career across the third and public sectors - most recently with Natural England. She has a PhD in environmental science and is a Trustee of Wessex Rivers Trust and a non-executive director of Waterwise.
Janette Ward, Chair of CNP, said: “The Trustees were very pleased by the high interest shown in the Chief Executive position, and following a rigorous recruitment and interview process, we are delighted to have made this appointment.”
Her appointment comes as Interim Chief Executive Anita Konrad steps down after leading CNP through the global pandemic following the departure of Corinne Pluchino in June 2020.
Janette added: “I must also thank Anita Konrad for the splendid job she has done as our Interim Chief Executive, she leaves CNP better equipped to continue its important work in the “new normal” era and we wish her all the best for the future.”
National Parks: New Perspectives bursaries now open for entries
Campaign for National Parks is inviting young storytellers (19-35) to share their stories about National Parks in England and Wales as part of a National Parks: New Perspectivesbursary scheme.
There will be five bursaries of £1,000awarded to early career communicators in this first round. The focus of these bursaries, run in partnership with Ocean City Media, is on factual-based storytelling which uncovers stories relating to People, Climate and Nature - a theme we've been exploring throughout 2021. From film-making and longform journalism to audio interviews and infographics.
"As a campaigning organisation, storytelling is at the heart of what we do," said CNP's Campaigns and Communications Manager Laura Williams. "Powerful stories, be they visual, written or otherwise can move people to act, they can highlight hidden issues and uncover new perspectives - especially when authored by a diverse range of people.
"A big thank you to everyone who supported our crowdfunding campaign earlier this year, it is because of you - along with the generosity of a major donor - that we're able to launch this scheme to help nurture the next generation of National Park communicators."
The National Parks: New Perspectives bursary scheme is now open for entries, with an application deadline of 4 November 2021. For more details, or to apply, please see here.
Engaging politicians with the importance of tackling climate change in National Parks
Ahead of COP26, we have been engaging Welsh and English politicians around our 'National Parks and the Climate Emergency' report released at the start of the summer. We've had responses from Ministers, Lords, MPs and MSs with several meetings planned for the coming months.
Our report formed the basis of an APPG for National Parks meeting earlier this month, of which National Parks England are the secretariat. This was well attended by MPs and leaders from NPAs, Defra and NE. Our Policy and Research Manager Ruth presented our recommendations, alongside a presentation from Richard Leafe, CEO of Lake District National Park Authority. As a result Chair of the APPG, Sir Gary Streeter MP has committed to securing a Parliamentary debate on Climate Change and National Parks.
We distributed copies of our Spring/Summer edition of Viewpoint magazine to politicians, which led with a feature on our climate change report. After sending a copy to Janet Finch-Saunders MS, she tabled a question to the Climate Change Minister for Wales asking them what steps the Welsh Government is taking to strengthen National Park management plans, and to confirm whether stronger statutory requirements will be introduced to further the National Park purposes in relation to combating climate change?
This is in line with some of our recommendations in the report. We are now awaiting a written response to this but we recently received a reply from the Climate Change Minister, Julie James MS, outlining what the Welsh Government was doing to address the climate crisis and reiterating a commitment to supporting designated landscapes in Wales.
Working with other charities to effect change
Working in coalition, we contributed to the joint Wildlife and Countryside Link report ‘Achieving 30x30 in England, which was launched this month. We played a key role to ensure that this was positively framed - and included how National Parks can be better protected and enhanced to support the Government's ambitions for protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030.
We influenced the main policy recommendations which included: ensuring more and better quality protected nature sites (such as SSSIs) and strengthening landscape designations via new statutory purposes and duties and supporting measures to improve conditions, for example by investing in them via Environment Land Management.
We also worked with Ramblers on a high profile letter to the Prime Minister, calling for urgent action to ensure equitable access to the outdoors. The letter reads: "The Environment Bill doesn’t compel government to improve access to nature - but it could. The new farm payment scheme shows no sign of rewarding farmers for improving access on their land - but it could. Proposed changes to the planning system don’t prioritise access to nature - but they could."
CNP's new Chief Executive Rose O'Neill said: "We're delighted to be working closely with partners on issues that matter to National Parks. As the only independent charity dedicated to campaigning to protect and improve National Parks, our small team has a big job to ensure the issues that matter are heard and acted upon - by working with partners such as Ramblers and CPRE we can amplify our messages further."
Last chance to enter our photography competition - deadline 4 October 2021
Thank you to everyone who has entered our photography competition focused on documenting climate change. We've seen some powerful images depicting wildfires, extreme weather and erosion; as well as images illustrating the nature and wildlife most at threat from climate change.
We also invite images which showcase some of the solutions - from nature recovery projects such as tree-planting, species reintroduction and peatland restoration.
Peatland restoration in North York Moors by Gemma Scire
Do you have an image that fits the bill? It's easy to enter, for phone photographs simply share yours on social media with the hashtag #CNPPhotoComp21(or add the hashtag to your existing post). For the main category or the Young Photographer category, you can submit it via this online form.
Winners will see their photographs published in Viewpoint magazine and Digital Photographer magazine and will receive a subscription to both. Previous winner and judge for this year's competition Kieran Metcalfe wrote this blog on what the competition means to him.
The deadline for entries is Monday 4 October 2021, with winners revealed by the end of October. To find out more and to enter, please visit our website.
Volunteer of the Month - Paul Wellford
This month's Volunteer of the Month is Paul Wellford, who volunteers with North York Moors National Park. Paul, who lives on the outskirts of the National Park, started volunteering when he retired as a maintenance ranger and has expanded his efforts to cover a range of tasks, including conservation (including riverfly and wildflower surveys) and engaging with groups of visitors.
"The maintenance role is quite diverse," said Paul, "It includes tasks such as installing/ repairing stiles, installing gates, putting in or replacing way markers, planting hedges, cutting hedges, brush cutting, dry stone walling, building or repairing footbridges. No two tasks are the same and quite often a degree of problem solving is required to achieve the best solution."
Paul says he volunteers because he enjoys being outdoors and active, socialising with like-minded people and doing something to help visitors learn about the National Park. He said: "It’s a good way to meet and make new friends, learn new skills, share your skills, and, in some activities, also enjoy a bit of a work out. My biggest challenge is not to forget that I am retired and I have a family to spend time with as well! It is easy to get involved because there are so many opportunities!"
Asked why he thinks National Parks are important, Paul replied: "National parks protect large areas of our countryside from further urbanisation and ensure that these unique areas of our country are preserved for all generations to enjoy. They are vital for the health of our country. It has become even more important recently with the Covid Pandemic. I think it has led to a greater appreciation of just how important it is to have these spaces to retreat to or to visit and enjoy the peaceful environment and attractive landscape that can be found."
For your diary
Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales is hosting a free online event at 10am on Tue 19 October2021 which looks at the work underway in National Parks in Wales in relation to climate change, decarbonisation, nature-based solutions and nature recovery as well as sustainable tourism and the green recovery.
A spokesman for Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales, which is made up of representatives from Wales' three National Parks and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, said: "Designated landscapes have a critical role in taking action on climate and nature emergencies."
As predicted in our last newsletter, the two year anniversary of the publication of the Glover Review came and went with no updates from the Government.
"The Review opened a crucial conversation about the future of our National Parks two years ago," said our Chair Janette Ward on two year anniversary on 21 September, "but our Parks need more than warm words – they need action.”
cing our new Chief Executive: Dr Rose O'Neill
