Published: 14 October 2026
A win for farm-based education in the Yorkshire Dales, reconnecting people with Eryri’s freshwater ecosystems, revolutionising Welsh National Park engagement for visitors with sight loss and young champion of the South Downs. This year’s National Park Protector Award winners revealed at Westminster ceremony.
Today saw the celebration of individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond in National Parks in England and Wales. In an event hosted in Parliament by Terry Jermy MP, we met with incredible people who truly are at the heart of our Parks.
Thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for sponsoring our 2026 National Park Protector Awards.
The winner of the 2026 Living Landscapes Award, sponsored by Ramble Worldwide is Neil Heseltine of Hill Top Farm in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Neil Heseltine, a farmer in Malham in the Yorkshire Dales, is a champion of farm-based education and connects children to sheep, cattle, soil and wildflowers, and to the wider story of the Dales landscape.
2026’s Living Landscapes Award runner up is:
Ullswater Catchment Management CIC, Lake District National Park
Ullswater Catchment Management CIC works with farmers and landowners to deliver nature recovery and flood management projects in the Lake District National Park.
The winner of the 2026 Marsh National Park Nature Award, sponsored Marsh Charitable Trust, is Prosiect Torgoch, North Wales Rivers Trust in Eryri National Park
Prosiect Torgoch is an innovative conservation and engagement programme led by North Wales Rivers Trust. It combines science, storytelling, education, art, and community engagement to reconnect people with the Torgoch (Arctic charr) and inspire long-term stewardship of Eryri’s freshwater ecosystems.
2026’s Marsh National Park Nature Award runner up is:
The Exmoor Pioneers Project team, Exmoor National Park
The Exmoor Pioneers project works across the former Royal Forest of Exmoor, restoring and enriching habitats, supporting priority species, growing new woodland and connecting people more deeply with the natural and cultural heritage around them.
The winner of the 2026 New Perspectives Award, sponsored by Natural England, is Gareth Davies, See Cymru Differently (RNIB Cymru) working across all Welsh National Parks.
Gareth Davies of See Cymru Differently has revolutionised the way visitors with sight loss engage with all Welsh National Parks.
Gareth was also the winner of our People’s Choice Public Vote.
2026’s New Perspectives Award runner up is:
Sheffield Environmental Movement, Peak District National Park
Sheffield Environmental Movement have been leading people-centred access to landscape and nature including National Parks since 2016 by addressing well-documented inequalities for people from racially minoritised communities across Sheffield and Yorkshire.
The winner of the 2026 Young Changemaker of the Year Award is Robson Peisley in the South Downs National Park.
Robson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the South Downs; she became the youngest National Park Authority Member in the country, taking her vision for National Parks to be havens for both nature and diverse communities to the boardroom.
2026’s Young Changemaker of the Year Award runner up is:
North York Moors Youth Voice
The North York Moors Youth Voice is fully youth-led. The team planned and delivered a conference that brought together young people from Protected Landscapes across England and beyond into the UK and Northern Ireland.
We awarded Yvonne Witter this award as special recognition of the overwhelming number of heartfelt nominations and in recognition of her dedication to connecting people with the Peak District National Park. Yvonne is the heart, spirit and force behind Peak District Mosaic where, for almost two decades, she has worked tirelessly to improve access to nature for diverse communities, encouraging them to explore the outdoors, building belonging and inspiring environmental care.
The annual National Park Protector Awards has run since 2011, and although the Awards have changed and grown over the years, they have always been a vital opportunity to recognise and reward the hard work of people who are at the heart of our Parks.
National Parks Reimagined invites us to imagine what’s truly possible for our National Parks — and to use that imagination as a catalyst for bold, positive change.
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