National Parks in England launch joint ambitions for the next decade

National Parks England, which includes the New Forest National Park Authority and nine other national parks, has published a set of new joint ambitions, outlining their vision to become beacons for a sustainable future where nature and people flourish.

For the first time, England’s 10 National Parks have worked together to create four interconnected Delivery Plans, which address how they will tackle new challenges and changing priorities over the next 10 years.

The Covid-19 pandemic, Government announcements of new national parks, the Green Industrial Revolution, and the climate and nature emergencies, have all highlighted the important role national parks have for our nation.

The Delivery Plans set out how the parks will protect and enhance the natural environment, how they will become leaders in tackling the climate emergency, how they will support thriving communities where sustainable farming and land management deliver a wide range of public goods, and set out their vision to support the health and wellbeing of the whole nation.

Each of the Plans has a key theme:

• Landscapes for Everyone
• Sustainable Farming and Land Management
• Climate Leadership
• Nature Recovery

Each plan defines key targets and how these will be achieved.

National Parks England Chair, Mike McKinley said: ‘We are proud to launch our new Delivery Plans, which clearly set out our ambitions and plans for the next 10 years.

‘National parks hold a unique place in the nation’s affections, and Covid-19 and the increase in visitor numbers to our national parks during the pandemic has reminded us of their importance. Wild landscapes, family walks, rural businesses and vibrant communities all have their place, and we need to work hard to protect and enhance these spaces.

‘While we welcome the Government’s recent 10-point plan, and announcement of the creation of new national parks, this must not be at the expense of investing in our existing Parks.

‘We need to ensure that we are equipped with the tools and resources to make a substantive green shift. Our Delivery Plans are rightly ambitious and set out how we will achieve our aims through stronger legislation, investment, and political leadership: we look to Government to support our vision.’

For more information on National Parks England’s work see: www.nationalparksengland.org.uk

Photo by Peter Le Cointe