Our National Park Ambassadors

I love the outdoors, especially our National Parks. I was fortunate enough to grow up visiting Northumberland National Park. The rolling hills and hidden valleys are a place of solitude and wonder. Since 2019, I’ve volunteered with Northumberland National Park and in 2022, after being nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award with the Campaign for National Parks, I became Campaign for National Parks’ first Ambassador.

Since then, I have graduated from a degree in Environmental Sciences and started my career as an Ecologist.

Being an ambassador for Campaign for National Parks, I have had the opportunity to speak at the 2024 UK National Park Conference, been a part of the judging panel for the Park Protector Awards, peer reviewed the National Parks Health Check Report, become the first young member of their Council and much more! I’ve also met and worked alongside other fantastic young people who share the same passion for safeguarding our National Parks for the future, of which Campaign for National Parks have given us a platform to have our voices heard to be a part of the integral work that they do.

I’ve always been passionate about getting people into nature and improving how we protect and enjoy the outdoors. Growing up exploring the landscapes of the Lake District sparked my interest in how access works — and why it matters — across the UK’s countryside.

My career has focused on public rights of way, commons and access law. I currently work for a local authority as a Countryside Access Officer, where I help manage, protect and improve access across the countryside, working with communities, landowners and partner organisations. Previously, I have worked as a Planning Inspector specialising in rights of way and commons, giving me valuable insight into how access decisions are made and how evidence, policy and public participation shape our landscapes.

Alongside my professional work, I run Public Rights of Way Explorer — a platform dedicated to explaining access rights in clear, practical ways and encouraging more people to explore responsibly and confidently.

I first became involved with Campaign for National Parks through the National Parks: New Perspectives programme, where I created the short documentary Access For All, exploring the barriers many people still face when trying to access National Parks and highlighting ways to make these landscapes more inclusive.

I’m delighted to be returning as an Ambassador and excited to continue this work. I’m passionate about championing fair access, strong protections for nature and more inclusive decision-making. By combining my professional experience with storytelling and advocacy, I hope to help ensure that National Parks truly are places for everyone, now and in the future.

I’ve always enjoyed being outside in nature. From an early age, family holidays in National Parks such as the Lake District were sources of excitement and adventure. Though I do not live in a National Park, I live in the countryside near the Chiltern Hills where I regularly walk, cycle and horse ride. As well as this, I have a passion for protecting biodiversity that lives within both terrestrial and marine National Parks. I’m also currently doing my degree in Global Development.

I first became involved with Campaign for National Parks in Spring 2023 when I started volunteering as a Youth Advisor discussing barriers faced by young people accessing National Parks. Fast forward a year to 2024 and I am absolutely delighted and excited to be an Ambassador for Campaign for National Parks.

I’ve always had a close relationship with National Parks – I grew up one the edge of the Eryri National Park in Dyffryn Nantlle. Having the Park within walking distance left a permanent mark on me growing up.

After moving to the city, my route back to the countryside was mainly as a volunteer for the University climbing club. I brought people to our national landscapes every weekend, hillwalking, running or climbing in Pembrokeshire, Gower, the Peak or Eryri. I started volunteering as an access rep, trying to reduce barriers for people and improve public access, and during the covid-19 lockdown I applied for and was given a role as campaigns and policy officer with the British Mountaineering Council. Through that role I’ve tried to fly the flag for the benefits of nature connection, but speak on the need for reform, and to reexamine the way our designated landscapes are defined, funded, and enjoyed.

Nature connection is a key metric for a sustainable future, and this is an area for which I hope to be an advocate. I hope I can be a good ambassador for Campaign for National Parks, and I’m really excited to be a part of the team.

Since I was a child, I have been roaming the hills and mountains of the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, and Lake District National Parks. Something about their rugged beauty and undulating landscapes captured my imagination. I wanted to turn over every stone and climb every tree. I was always hungry for adventure.

As I grew older, I realized that I was only one of very few people of colour exploring these beautiful hills. Despite diverse communities living across the North West, there are multiple systemic barriers preventing equal access to Nature. These include: transport, education, expense, accommodation, and discrimination.

These insights were further realized whilst completing my postgraduate research in migration, belonging and race in Britain. As a result of this work, I firmly believe our National Parks must become safe and supportive spaces for all people across the UK.

As an Ambassador I want to continue the legacy of the incredible Mosaic project by creating pathways for underrepresented communities to access and enjoy our National Park. Moreover, as a believer in grassroots organizations, I hope to platform and collaborate with the amazing work taking place locally across England and Wales. On a personal note, I hope to bring my creativity, enthusiasm, and joy to the amazing projects taking place across Campaign for National Parks!

Hi, my name is Linn! Growing up one of my favorite activities was to follow my grandpas tracks through the unbeaten path in the forest. He’d tell me all about it’s secrets – from which mushrooms you could eat to the hidden lakes where you could go for a swim.

I’m Swedish, but I’ve travelled the world, leaving a little part of me in Hungary, the United States, Italy and now – England. In all these places, I found myself searching for nature, wildlife spaces and peace of mind. Stepping into a wild area where the air is crisp and nature thrives is an indescribable feeling. I wish for everyone to experience that freedom.

As a marine biologist, the environment is at the heart of what I do within the marine and coastal landscapes. With a bachelors in Marine Biology from the University of Plymouth, I learnt about the intertidal marine animals found along the UK’s coastlines – from strawberry anemones to tompot blennys. Volunteering with PhD students at the Marine Biological Association and taking on projects on resilience of genetically diverse seagrass meadows to heatwaves have showed me the vast effects of climate change but also society’s potential to restore and revitalize important habitats for mitigation. Seeing the benefits of collaboration and interdisciplinary work, I wanted to emphasize terrestrial conservation in my work.

Applying for, and being lucky enough to participate in the 2024 Future Leaders Course with Campaign for National Parks, I got a snapshot of the incredible work being done to enhance national parks. Spending a weekend speaking about influential leadership, the value of national parks and inspirational campaigning – I was hooked. I’m incredibly excited to be an ambassador for Campaign for National Parks and the opportunity to support the vital work they do. Please feel free to reach out with questions, stories, collaborations or a general chat 🙂

All of my life I have been interested in nature and the environment. Growing up in the Chilterns National Landscape I was surrounded by rolling hills, rich chalk grasslands, and the spectacular site of red kites swooping down to feed each day. I was forever inspired by the biodiversity around me, and always curious to learn more about it.

This led me to move to Brighton to study for a degree in Ecology and Conservation, where I became more and more involved in the environmental sector. A wonderful part of this was being able to develop my species identification skills in the South Downs National Park. Through exploring the wildlife and habitats of the park I became deeply connected to it, fuelled further by my voluntary work in the park. Realising the sheer potential for nature recovery in National Parks, I became a Youth Ambassador for the South Downs National Park Authority. It has been great in this role to boost youth voice and advocate for nature within the National Park.

I first met the team at Campaign for National Parks when I attended the National Park Societies Conference. After hearing more about the organisations work and getting to know the team, I was recommended for the role and realised it was the perfect opportunity for me to build on my work locally within National Parks across the country. I can’t wait to get stuck into the role, and advocate for nature rich National Parks and youth engagement within this!

Hi, my name is Patricia! I grew up very much a city kid in East London, realising my love for national parks was not something that happened until later on in my life. I have always had a love for nature and being outdoors, with school holidays being filled with little adventures in Epping Forest and camping holidays across Southern England. My first experience of a national park was my GCSE geography coursework fieldtrip to the Brecon Beacons, where I went on my first hike at age 16. Moving to university really broadened my horizons, with such easy access, via public transport, to Northumberland National Park, the Lake District, and the North York Moors. Since then, my passion for the environment has flourished and led me on to achieving a degree in Environmental Sciences, doing conservation work in some of the most incredible landscapes across the world, such as the cloud forests of Costa Rica and Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, I have worked on exciting and impactful research projects and now I find myself here, becoming an Ambassador for Campaign for National Parks.

I am excited to get stuck into the role of being an Ambassador and I hope to make a positive impact on the incredible work done by Campaign for National Parks.

I’ve always been an avid hiker, wild camper, and scrambler. I grew up very close to the South Downs where I’d often spend time with friends and family walking, cycling, foraging and birdwatching. I recently moved to Yorkshire, in part to be closer to the Dales, the Peak District, the Lake District and the North York Moors. I feel so lucky to have had such easy access to the most beautiful and ecologically valuable spaces in the UK. Spending time in our national parks brings us closer to nature and improves our health and mental wellbeing – I believe everyone deserves this right.

Having access to nature from a young age has meant that biodiversity loss and climate change are tangible threats to spaces that I feel connected to. This ultimately influenced me to choose a career that protects these spaces. I’ve now worked in sustainability for a while, including running biodiversity projects and developing sustainability policies for the University of Sussex. At the moment I work with businesses to quantify their environmental impact and develop climate strategies to help them meet Net Zero. This includes working with a national air ambulance charity to measure and reduce their carbon emissions as well as various tour operators that run hiking trips and adventure activities within the national parks. I’m excited to bring my skills to Campaign for National Parks and help protect the places that inspired my passion for conservation in the first place.

Promoting the mental and physical health benefits of nature is my true passion, making National Park Ambassador the perfect role for me. With 15+ years experience of working in Health and Social Care, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of mindfulness and physical activity in natural settings. My aim is to encourage my clients to engage with their local environments, with the goal of assisting them to step outside their comfort zones and experience the restorative power of these the National Parks. I am currently based in Leeds and regularly visit the Dales, North York Moors and Peak District. My long-term goal is to become a mental health practitioner who utilizes outdoor environments for healing and recovery, supported by my Counselling Skills and Studies qualifications. For the past year or so, I’ve gained practical conservation experience volunteering with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) in Leeds, leading Green Gym groups with vulnerable adults at two different sites in Leeds. I have also recently become a Feel Good in the Forest Champion with Forestry England and I am a strong advocate for greater access to green and blue spaces, particularly for those facing isolation or socio-economic barriers. As an avid walker and wild swimmer, I understand the deep connection between well-being and the natural world and I am eager to use my skills to effectively highlight conservation issues and inspire others to connect with our natural environment.

Hi I’m Honor! My journey into the outdoors began as a means of personal growth which evolved into a mission to encourage others to find similar empowerment and discover the numerous joys that the outdoors brings.

At 15, I completed the 35-mile Ten Tors Challenge across Dartmoor, an experience that became a pivotal moment in my life. It sparked a deep connection with the outdoors, instilling confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose I hadn’t known before. That feeling has stayed with me ever since, and it’s what I strive to help others find.

My personal transformation fueled my desire to motivate and inspire others, especially young people, to explore National Parks, connect with nature and embrace outdoor adventures.
Through my social media channels, where I’m known as @hon_outdoors, I share my adventures, raise awareness about our National Parks, and encourage everyone, especially young people, to step outside, connect with nature, and explore the power of these incredible places.

I am a member of the New Forest National Park Youth Board, where I advocate for the voices of young people in protecting and promoting the Park. As an Ambassador for Campaign for National Parks, I am now able to raise awareness, champion important issues, and help amplify campaigns that protect these vital landscapes.

In 2024, I had the honour of speaking at the National Outdoor Expo, where I joined a panel on how to get more young people into the outdoors. When I’m not campaigning or creating outdoors content, you’ll find me hiking, cold dipping, reading, gardening or planning my next adventure!

I truly believe spending time in our National Parks nurtures a deeper connection to the environment, improves mental and physical well-being, and inspires us to protect the natural world. I’m determined to build a future where everyone can experience the magic of the outdoors and feel a part of something greater.

Growing up in London, I was accustomed to views of skyscrapers rather than forest canopies, and the constant hum of traffic rather than birdsong. I became more aware of and appreciative of the beauty of nature a bit later in life, which inspired me to pursue a degree in Zoology, and I now work in environmental planning.

Whenever I am in nature, I am filled with a sense of wonder and joy, whether it’s on a path in my local park or a mountain in one of the National Parks. I’m passionate about making sure everyone can access and connect with nature. As well as being important for our health and well-being, people are also integral to conservation. If you’ve never experienced the tranquillity of a forest or the grandeur of a mountain, you’re less likely to advocate for their protection.

I was lucky enough to take part in the Future Leaders Course with Campaign for National Parks and later joined the Community Champions Programme with Peak District Mosaic. I learnt more about the social and systemic barriers preventing access to the Parks, as well as the need to raise awareness about protecting the wildlife that should be able to find refuge in them. I am really excited to be an ambassador for Campaign for National Parks, and contribute to the fantastic work they are doing!