Campaign for National Parks short-listed for "Small Charity, Big Achiever Award"

18 September 2009

The Campaign for National Parks (1) is delighted to have been short-listed for the Third Sector Excellence Awards (2) in the “Small Charity, Big Achiever” category.  The Awards aim to reward examples of outstanding campaigns, strategies, projects and performance, backed up by hard evidence of success.

CNP has been short-listed for its work with Mosaic (3), a ground breaking national project that engages ethnic minority communities with the National Parks.  Mosaic provides training to enable local people to promote the National Parks in their communities, organise visits to National Parks and establish cultural events and other activities to stimulate an interest in the natural environment.  Mosaic has been developed by CNP over the last 8 years and is recognised as a model for delivering long-term and sustainable engagement.

60 years after the Act of Parliament that created the National Parks for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, it is important that all people in Britain know about the National Parks and what they offer and have an equal opportunity to choose to enjoy them.  Mosaic helps to make sure that the widest possible cross-section of the British public cares about the National Parks and ensure their future protection.

CNP Chief Executive Kathy Moore says:

“As a small charity working to protect and promote the National Parks, we are very proud to be delivering a successful national project like Mosaic, working with ethnic minority community leaders across England and delivering real changes on the ground.”

Ben Fogle, President of the Campaign for National Parks, explains why he supports the project:

“Going to the countryside inspired me when I was a child, and led me to pursue the adventures I enjoy now as an adult.  Mosaic is a fantastic project that works to make sure that everyone has that opportunity to experience and be amazed by the most spectacular landscapes in our country."
         
Huw Irranca-Davies, Natural Environment Minister, says:

“The work being done by the Campaign for National Parks and community groups through Mosaic is not only breaking down barriers, but is also forging lasting links so that more people from minority communities and under-represented groups are attracted to our National Parks and can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.”
 
For further information, please contact:
Mosaic Support Officer, Sally Parekh: 020 7924 4077 ext. 226.
Third Sector Excellence Awards, Alessandra Zorzato: 020 8267 4161

Notes to editors
1. The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) is the national charity that campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.
2. The Third Sector Excellence Award winners will be announced on Thursday 24 September 2009, at The Ballroom in Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London W1. Attendance is by invitation only; please contact Alessandra Zorzato on 020 8267 4161 for more information.
3. Mosaic is a partnership between CNP, the Youth Hostels Association and the 9 organisations that help look after the National Parks in England: the Broads Authority, Dartmoor National Park Authority (NPA), Exmoor NPA, Lake District NPA, New Forest NPA, North York Moors NPA, Northumberland NPA, Peak District NPA and the Yorkshire Dales NPA.  The project is funded by Natural England through Access to Nature as a part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme, with match funding from Nationwide Building Society, Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the partners themselves.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222