Last chance to vote for your Volunteer of the Year in our Park Protector Awards 2022

Today is your last chance vote for your chosen Volunteer of the Year in our Park Protector Awards 2022. We have five brilliant volunteers shortlisted from National Parks across England and Wales, each offering so much to their National Park from campaigning and sharing untold stories to conservation work on the ground and running a National Park Society. The shortlisted volunteers are:

• Rachel Thomas, Exmoor National Park
• Jack Walmsley, Snowdonia National Park
• Bob Slater, North York Moors National Park
• Tony Evans, Northumberland National Park
• Christopher Maloney, Peak District National Park

Thank you to the thousands of people who have already voted – if you haven’t done so yet, you have until midnight tonight to cast your vote.  

Wanderlust Women National Parks tour to visit Exmoor and Brecon Beacons next week

Thanks to our National Parks: New Perspectives bursary scheme, Amira Patel is taking her Wanderlust Women Muslim women’s hiking group on a tour of National Parks – bringing it down south to Brecon Beacons on Tuesday 5 July and Exmoor on Wednesday 6 July. There are still spaces on both visits, so please do sign up and share with others who may be interested. Find out more and book your space here.

New legislation provides opportunity to update National Park powers

The Government’s long-awaited Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill was introduced into Parliament this month, and with it has come a key chance to bring powers for National Parks up to date and put nature front and centre.

The Bill will shape England’s planning laws but National Parks are a major omission. We are working with politicians from across the House to promote amendments that prioritise nature, climate and equality of access and require all public bodies to take significant action to further Park purposes.

Campaign for National Park's parliamentary lead Nick Hall said "These changes are crucial to ensuring that the Parks have the powers they need to halt biodiversity decline, tackle climate change and conserve these amazing landscapes for generations to come."

While the Government is supportive of our amendments (having consulted on such recommendations in January) landscapes legislation was a critical omission in last May's Queens Speech. As the Bill progresses through Parliament throughout the summer and autumn, we will be campaigning to secure changes to level up access to National Parks and enshrine critical changes in law. 

Could you be the new Friends of the Lake District Chief Executive?

The search is on for the next Chief Executive of Friends of the Lake District as the organisation prepares to say goodbye to longstanding CEO Douglas Chalmers. The charity, which campaigns to protect Lake District National Park, is seeking an individual with vision, drive, passion and experience in campaigning and advocacy, stakeholder management and working collaboratively in partnerships. The deadline for applications is Sunday 10 July. Find out more and apply here. 


Lake District National Park by John Hitchings

Snowdonia National Park Authority appoints its first female Chair - Annwen Hughes

Snowdonia National Park Authority has appointed its first female Chair – Councillor Annwen Hughes, replacing previous Chair Owain Wyn. It comes as six new members were appointed to the Board in what has become a historical moment, as the number of men on the Board is now, for the first time ever, equal to the number of women. The new members are Louise Hughes, June Jones, Kim Jones, Meryl Roberts and Jo Nuttall and Dilwyn Owain Roberts. Councillor Hughes said: “I look forward to leading the Authority for the near future, to protect our special communities and unique landscapes for future generations to enjoy.” 

National Park people recognised in The Queen's Birthday Honours List

Former Campaign for National Parks staff member and environmental campaigner Ruth Chambers was awarded an OBE in The Queen’s Birthday Honours list this Jubilee year. Chair of Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast Steve Drinkwater awarded an MBE. Also recognised in this year’s honours were Ian Hurst, President of Buxton Mountain Rescue Team in Peak District National Park. Congratulations to all three - all fully deserving of such recognition.


Steve Drinkwater in Exmoor National Park

Latest blog...

A campaign is underway to stop developers building a big adventure park in Lake District National Park, once again shining a spotlight on the need to protect National Parks from potentially damaging developments. Over 30,000 signatures have already been added to a petition and the campaign is gathering pace online. Friends of the Lake District Planning Officer Lorayne Wall explains more in her guest blog for us.

And finally...

A big thank you to everyone who donated or shared our Aviva Community Fund crowdfunder to raise another £3,000 to launch National Parks: New Perspectives bursaries. The bursaries will cover The Broads, Pembrokeshire Coast and New Forest National Parks, all Parks which weren’t covered by the first 10 bursary holders. We successfully raised £2,898 - so close to our target; if you’d like to help us raise the remaining £102 to enable us to launch all three, you can donate via our website.