National Parks for the Future focus of Campaign for National Parks Council Meeting & AGM 2021

  • Contributor information: CNP

Campaign for National Parks welcomed members, supporters, Friends and politicians to its annual Council Meeting and AGM online on 25 November 2021, which this year explored ‘National Parks for the Future: Visions for the Next 70 Years’.

It was the first Council Meeting led by new Chief Executive Rose O’Neill, alongside Chair Janette Ward, was attended by scores of people from across England and Wales, and included some powerful #NationalParksNewPerspectives videos from the following contributors (which you can watch below):

  • Defra Minister The Rt Hon Lord Benyon
  • Chief Executive of Natural England Marian Spain
  • Chief Executive of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Catherine Mealing-Jones
  • Chief Executive of Lake District National Park Authority Richard Leafe
  • Chair of Mosaic Outdoors Mohammed Dhalech
  • Northumberland National Park volunteer and Park Protector Awards 2021 finalist Jessica Davison
  • Former Chief Executive of North York Moors National Park and environmental activist Andy Wilson
  • Executive Director of YHA (England & Wales) Anita Kerwin-Nye 
  • Campaign for National Parks Trustees Nick Holliday and Rosie McIver
  • Scottish Campaign for National Parks’ John Mayhew
  • Chief Executive of The National Association of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) John Watson

 

 

Rose said: “We were delighted to be able to host such an important and lively meeting looking at the future for National Parks and designated landscapes in England and Wales, and in Scotland. This is a critical time for National Parks, which can – and should – be at the centre of a green recovery.

“We were particularly pleased to hear from the Minister who spoke passionately about National Parks and the role they have to play in tackling the climate crisis and helping meet the Government’s net zero targets; it’s something we impressed on the Government with our National Parks and the Climate Emergency report earlier this year and our ongoing campaign work.”

She added: “Campaign for National Parks has a strong history and proven track record of bringing people together to protect and improve National Parks. We’d like to thank our members and Friends for their support, vision and commitment which helps fuel our campaigning work to ensure that National Parks are fit for the future and deliver for People, for Nature and for Climate.”

As we come to the end of the 70th anniversary year of the first National Parks in England and Wales (Peak District, Lake District, Snowdonia and Dartmoor National Parks), we’re inviting you to share your vision for National Parks for the next 70 years via social media using the hashtag #NationalParksNewPerspectives and tagging in @Campaign4Parks – we’ll re-share them to our channels and hope to get some more good ideas from you!