National Parks Societies Conference 2023

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The National Park Society Annual Conference 2024 

Ensuring National Parks thrive for the next 75 years  

11 – 13 September 2024, Brighton University 

Friends of the South Downs and Campaign for National Parks are delighted to invite you to this year’s National Park Society Conference, to be held at Brighton University’s Falmer Campus from Wednesday 11 September to Friday 13 September.  

The National Park Society Conference is a prestigious annual event, bringing together National Park champions, volunteers and decision-makers from across the UK to celebrate our love for these landscapes, discuss shared issues of importance and agree positive action for change. 

The conference is also offering free tickets to those under 30. The deadline for registration is 16 August.

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This year’s conference: 75 years of National Parks 

To recognise and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the legislation that created National Parks, this year’s conference theme will look to the future of Protected Landscapes and explore what needs to be done to ensure National Parks thrive for the next 75 years and beyond. As well as keynote speakers and panel discussions, the conference will feature networking opportunities, quizzes and a gala dinner, followed by a trip to the trailblazing Knepp nature estate on Friday morning. 

The conference will cover a range of engaging and timely topics, including: 

  • How the new Westminster Parliament can secure the long-term future of National Parks 
  • What more can be done to achieve nature-rich National Parks  
  • Action to inspire future generations of National Park protectors 
  • How to refresh and build a bigger National Park campaigning movement that we can all participate in 

The conference will feature prominent speakers and panellists, including Charlie Burrell from the Knepp Estate, Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the South Downs National Park Authority, John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association and Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. There will also be speakers from the RSPB, Green Alliance, British Mountaineering Council, Saddlescombe Farm, and Fight for the South Downs – with even more to be announced shortly.  

For further details and timings of the conference see below.

Tickets 

Full conference (3 days): £310.00
Wed 11 – Fri 13 September 

This ticket gives delegates access to the full conference, including two nights accommodation, a welcome session led by CNP on Wednesday, all meals provided including the gala dinner and quiz, and a field visit on Friday morning to the Knepp nature estate. Please note that all accommodation is single.  

1 day ticket: £28.00
Thurs 12 Sept 

This ticket gives delegates access to the middle day of conference, featuring all speaker keynotes and panel sessions, as well as lunch.

1 day ticket (under 30): Free
Thurs 12 Sept 

This free ticket gives delegates under the age of 30 access to the middle day of conference, featuring all speaker keynotes and panel sessions, as well as lunch. 

Deadline for registration: 16 August 

Tickets can also be paid for by invoice. Please contact Friends of the South Downs directly do this. 

Dietary and accessibility requirements can be submitted when booking tickets. You can also request transport to and from the Knepp Estate.
Please note that all ticket costs include a card processing fee.

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Agenda  

Times and sessions are still subject to change, but the overall start and end times are accurate. 

Wednesday 11 Sept

14:00 – 16:00  Welcome to conference session for National Park Societies, led by CNP
Celebrating 75 years of National Parks: The contribution from National Park Societies and what positive change is needed for the future. This will include a workshop session to explore key policies on planning, energy infrastructure and the role of public bodies to deliver National Park purposes. This session is open to all full conference ticket holders and National Park Societies.

15:00 – 17:00 Attendees arrive for check in  

18:30 Dinner, followed by drinks and networking  

Thursday 12 Sept

08:00 Breakfast               

09:15 Conference introductions from Friends of the South Downs and Campaign for National Parks

09:45 Opening session panel: What can this new Parliament do to secure the long-term future of National Parks  

  • Speakers include Members of Parliament from local constituencies (TBC)

11:00 Coffee  

11.30 Keynote from Charlie Burrell, co-owner of the Knepp nature estate

12:00 Morning session panel: Nature-rich National Parks  

  • Speakers include Debbie Tann, (Chief Executive of Hampshire Wildlife Trust), Ruth Bradshaw (Policy Manager with Campaign for National Parks), Roly Puzey (Farmer at Saddlescombe Farm), Wez Smith (Senior Project Manager, Species Recovery Team, RSPB) plus representatives from Defra

13:15 Lunch 

14:15 Afternoon session panel 1: Inspiring Future Generations of National Park Protectors  

  • Speakers include Andrew Lovett (Friends of the South Downs), Chris Hare (South Downs for All), Caroline Fleming (Schools without Walls Project Manager), and Emma Bruce (South Downs National Park Authority)

Afternoon session panel 2: Next 75 years of National Landscapes  

  • Speakers include John Watkins (Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association)

15:30 Coffee  

16:00 Final session panel: How to refresh and build a bigger campaigning movement

  • Speakers include Kate Ashbrook (Open Spaces Society and Campaign for National Parks), Ruth Chambers (Green Alliance), Chris Todd (Fight for the South Downs), and Eben Muse (British Mountaineering Council and Campaign for National Parks)

17.15 Thank you and final summary  

19:00 Gala Dinner & Quiz 

Friday 13 September

08:00 Breakfast    

08:30 Leave Brighton University  

09:30 Arrive Knepp nature estate

10:30 Safari  

12:00 Visit ends  

13:00 Arrive back at Brighton University  

Further details about attending the conference 

Conference location: Brighton University, Falmer Campus
Address: Village Way, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 9PH
You can travel to the campus by car or bus – further details can be found here. Please note that car parking charges apply. 

Contact details 

For any further questions about the conference please contact: lilyw@cnp.org.uk 

Book your ticket

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