The deadline for the consultation into the Government’s response to the Landscapes Review – also known as the Glover Review – is fast approaching and we have just submitted our full response.
The Review, published in 2019, outlined key proposals to improve National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and this consultation relates to the Government response to it, which was eventually published in January 2022.
We welcome the Government’s vison and ambitions set out in its response, particularly the clear emphasis on nature and inclusion, and we support the vision for a “national network of beautiful, nature-rich spaces that all parts of society can easily access and enjoy”.
We are concerned that the proposals set out fall far short of what’s necessary to drive transformative change. We are calling on the Westminster Government to set out legislation for National Parks and AONBs in the next Queen’s Speech.
This is a key moment for the future of our protected landscapes, and one which will have a significant impact for many years to come, so it is critical that the right choices are made now.
The submission of our response follows some key engagement events in which we discussed the Review, including our Council Meeting and panel event with the report’s author Julian Glover and the Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas. Thank you to those of you who attended. For anyone who didn’t, you can now watch the discussion online here.
New reports shine light on nature recovery in National Parks
Most people believe that restoring nature and increasing wildlife should be a top priority for National Parks, is the finding of a new study by RSPB. The Natural Parks? report, released this month, explores the value people place in nature and wildlife in National Parks and why more is needed to protect this.
New research, based on interviews with hundreds of people in England, revealed that restoring nature was people's number one priority for England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
More than two thirds of respondents chose increasing wildlife as their top priority for National Parks and AONBs. Among people who live inside National Parks and AONBs, it was the top priority for three quarters of them.
David Hampson, Policy Officer for RSPB, wrote in a guest blog for us: "The message is clear: there is little appetite for National Parks and AONBs to be preserved in their current state, people want to see them revived."
The release of the RSPB research coincided with another key report.
Following on from our National Parks and the Climate Emergency report last year highlighting some of the work underway in National Parks, National Parks England published a new report - National Parks: supporting people, places, climate and nature - which outlines the ways that National Park Authorities are delivering for the nation.
National Parks England Chair Andrew McCloy wrote in a guest blog for us: "This storybook showcases who we are and what we do. We have bold ambitions to continue and develop this work further, fulfilling the challenge laid down by Glover."
Review of Brecon Beacons National Park Management Plan
We’ve recently responded to a consultation on the review of the Brecon Beacons National Park Management Plan. It was good to see that the NPA has developed an ambitious and comprehensive Management Plan which clearly sets out both the scale, and wide range, of actions that are needed, as well as highlighting the importance of working in partnership to deliver these actions. We are pleased to see the strong emphasis in the Plan on securing the levels of change needed to ensure that the National Park is making a leading contribution to tackling the climate and nature emergencies.
While we are generally very supportive of the draft Plan, there are a number of areas where we believe changes are needed in order to ensure that it is as effective as possible. In particular, we would like to see the inclusion of much stronger, more challenging targets and a stronger emphasis on securing change as quickly as possible.
We’re delighted to welcome a new member of staff to the team – Anna Bedford. Anna, who some of you may recognise as our former Trustee, joins as Programmes Manager and will be leading projects such as our Park Protector Awards and new Ambassador scheme.
In the coming months, she will be joined by two more new members of staff to increase our campaigning capacity. The trio will effectively double the size of the team, which comprises new Chief Executive Rose O’Neill, Policy and Research Manager Ruth Bradshaw, Campaigns and Communications Manager Laura Williams and Partnerships and Engagement Officer Katja Pesari.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022
We joined New Forest National Park Authority and others to mark this year’s International Women’s Day by celebrating ‘exceptional women, exceptional landscapes’. This ranged from our own Chief Executive Rose O’Neill and New Forest National Park Authority’s Chief Executive Alison Barnes.
David is from Northern Ireland originally but now lives in Bristol. A keen kayaker, he will be heading up to Snowdonia National Park to explore people’s relationships with the River Conwy – from watersports and fishing to farming and science. David speaks passionately about his love of National Parks and deep connection to the River Dart in a guest blogfor us. Follow David on Instagram,here.
Timothy, also known as Tim, is an anthropology graduate and freelance writer based in Manchester and is creating a short film about peatland based in Peak District National Park. Working with last year’s Park Protector Awards runner-up, Moors for the Future, Tim will explore why peatland is so important and what is being done to protect it. Follow Tim on Twitter, here.
Coming up: Big Green Give – one donation, twice the value
Following on from the success of our first ever crowdfunding campaign last year, which funded our National Parks: New Perspectives bursaries, we’re pleased to have been accepted for this year’s Big Give: Green Match Fund.
At this critical time for National Parks, we’ve doubled our fundraising target to £10,000 – meaning we need to raise £5,000 via The Big Give website between 22 and 29 April 2022 to unlock £5,000 of fund-matching. We'll be sharing more information nearer the time, watch this space.
And finally...
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ay 2022
David is from Northern Ireland originally but now lives in Bristol. A keen kayaker, he will be heading up to Snowdonia National Park to explore people’s relationships with the River Conwy – from watersports and fishing to farming and science. David speaks passionately about his love of National Parks and deep connection to the River Dart in a 
