We were delighted to join an alliance of National Park Societies and campaigning organisations, including Campaign for National Parks (CNP) in a joint Declaration, calling on governments in England and Wales to give Protected Landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) their full backing in legislation. The statement was agreed at the National Park Societies Conference hosted by Cymdeithas Eryri / Snowdonia Society.
Recognising the scale of the nature and climate emergency, the National Parks are united in their call for Protected Landscapes in England and Wales to be given new purposes and powers that will allow them to thrive for the future.
Declaration from the National Parks:
At a time of nature and climate emergency, we must retain and strengthen the laws and policies which protect the Protected Landscapes of Wales and England. This means there must be:
- No weakening, or removal, of vital European legislation such as the Habitats Regulations;
- Effective schemes of support for farmers and land managers which safeguard rural livelihoods, reinforce nature’s recovery, and promote public access; and
- A principle of safeguarding the additional planning protections which are crucial for Protected Landscapes.
We are committed in working together to ensure that our Protected Landscapes can deliver more for nature, climate and people in future.
The statement was signed by the following organisations:
Campaign for National Parks, Friends of the Dales, The Broads Society, Snowdonia Society,
Dartmoor Preservation Association, The Exmoor Society, Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Friends of the Brecon Beacons, Friends of the Lake District, Friends of the New Forest, Friends of the Peak District, Friends of the South Downs, North Yorkshire Moors Association.
Photo: Taken by CNP at the National Park Societies Conference 2022 at Plas y Brenin National Outdoor Centre, Snowdonia – kindly organised by Cymdeithas Eryri /Snowdonia Society.
Further information about the Declaration can be found at: cnp.org.uk