National park campaigners celebrate first 70 years

27 June 2006

This weekend (1) National Park campaigners will gather in Buxton to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Council for National Parks (CNP) (2) and to explore some of the current challenges facing the Parks.

CNP chairman Kate Ashbrook said: "The Council for National Parks was founded 70 years ago to fight for the establishment of National Parks. Our work today includes campaigning to protect the National Parks from damaging threats and promoting a sustainable future for the Parks, as well as lobbying for new National Parks such as in the South Downs.

"That is why our 70th anniversary theme is prosperity and protection, directly linking a healthy economy with the protection of the Parks for their landscape, wild spaces and peace and quiet". To download a copy of the publication "Prosperity and Protection" click here (large file - 2.2MB).

Speakers at the conference include government minister Barry Gardiner MP who is responsible for National Parks and Professor Adrian Phillips who will challenge the outdated concept of 'jobs versus beauty' and instead promote a vision of cherished Parks which themselves deliver jobs and protect local livelihoods. Former Home Secretary Rt Hon David Blunkett MP will also give an address. Delegates will attend from the National Park Authorities (the statutory authorities which manage the Parks), environmental organisations, government departments and agencies and business.

Notes to Editors

  • 1. The 70th anniversary conference of the Council for National Parks will take place from 30th June to 2nd July 2006 in Buxton at the University of Derby Campus. It is sponsored by the Countryside Agency and National Grid.
  • 2. The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

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