Our Manifesto call for the next General Election
From the peaks of the Lake District and the ancient oaks of the New Forest, to the wild moorlands of Dartmoor and the waterways of the Broads, National Parks have so much to offer.
Providing escape, wellbeing and community, millions of people across the country care passionately about these landscapes and want to see urgent action taken to make them more nature-rich, inclusive and enjoyed by all.
That’s why we’re calling on the Westminster parties to seize the initiative at the next General Election and commit to an ambitious programme to transform our National Parks.
And you can help add your voice
Rapid nature recovery of National Parks
- New legislation with: nature recovery purpose; stronger duties on public bodies; more effective management plans and accountability, and; controls on damaging activities, such as water pollution, major roadbuilding and peatland burning.
- Nature acceleration programme: further, faster in National Parks getting all SSSIs to favourable condition, water bodies at good status, peatlands restored and all public land managed for nature.
- Doubling the budget for nature-friendly farming and wilder land management, with a pay-rise for farmers and specific targeting for National Parks.
Give National Parks back to the nation
- Every child to have a night under the stars as part of National Curriculum.
- Expansion of freedom to roam, supported by a 1000-strong ranger service, with trials to expand backpack camping.
- Legal reform to ensure equality in access and participation, including change in purposes to promote inclusion, health and wellbeing; reforms to National Park Authority Boards including a role for citizen assemblies; and new powers on transport and second homes.
A new deal for National Parks
- Greater Government investment in all National Parks, with a Nature Recovery Obligation to grow and target private sector investment.
- A National Nature Service creating green jobs, opportunities for training, volunteering and social prescribing with National Parks at the heart.
- Reforms to accelerate the designation of new National Parks as exemplars for nature recovery, climate action and public access, and supporting the creation of National Marine Parks.
Our offer to the parties ahead of the General Election
Campaign for National Parks invites the Westminster political parties to place National Parks at the heart of their election manifesto and their vision for the country.
From jobs to the environment, education to health and wellbeing – National Parks can offer so much.
Over the coming months we’ll be giving opportunities for party leaders, ministers, MPs and candidates to back our election asks and show the public just how committed they are to making our National Parks thriving, nature-rich places for everyone.