National Park Protector Awards 2023

The winner of the New Perspectives Award 2023, sponsored by Natural England and presented by its Programme Director Caroline Cotterell, is:

Sameed Asghar – Sameed is the founder of Summit Special, who are known as the BAME Mountain Leaders. He is one of the first UK-qualified mountain leaders who works full time introducing not just BAME groups but also those with several barriers to accessing the outdoors. Since 2005, he has volunteered for various charities and mosques trying to promote and organise their challenge events. Consequently, he has encouraged people to fundraise for good causes and has also introduced thousands of people from BAME backgrounds to the great outdoors. This has also led to a recent rise in affinity groups of people from these groups.

Runners-up for the New Perspectives Award are:

Echoes Within the Earth – Echoes Within the Earth is an inspiring initiative that has brought to life our connection with nature through the evocative power of dance.

Choreographed by the talented Chris Pavia, who became the first choreographer with Down’s Syndrome to make a dance piece for national touring, the work is inspired by Chris’ childhood experiences of woodland in the South Downs.

Roots to Recovery – Roots to Recovery is a people-led project about the restorative powers of Pembrokeshire’s amazing outdoors and especially its National Park.

Their activities are designed to be accessible, fun and sometimes relaxing, with the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new friends. A typical programme might include walks, arts and crafts, volunteering and more.

The winner of the Changemaker of the Year Award 2023, sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, chosen in part by a public vote last month and presented by Alex Sobel, Labour Defra Minister is:

Matt Staniek / Save Windermere – Matt has been working tirelessly for two years to highlight the issue of water company pollution in Windermere and its impact on the water and wildlife in the lake.

Matt has built, from nothing, a movement that has steadily put a local issue onto the national stage. Around that he has expanded his campaign team, and on limited funds is furthering his reach by engaging with local communities and community events.

Runners-up for the Changemaker of the Year Award are:

The Stars Are for Everyone – The Stars Are for Everyone is an incredible grassroots campaign to protect the right to wild camp responsibly in the outdoors in Dartmoor National Park and extend that right to other National Parks in England and Wales. The campaign has grown out of the decision of a wealthy landowner to seek legally to stop people camping responsibly after decades of precedent and many more years of accepted access.

Virtual Walks Volunteers – The Virtual Walks programme is a fantastic initiative to enable everyone to access the North York Moors National Park. Four volunteers (Jim, Davy, David & Alison) record and prepare walks to present to groups who work with vulnerable adults who are either no longer able to get out or may not have the confidence to.

Hear more about the winners and the 2023 award ceremony here.