Campaign for National Parks

We’ve carried out a health check of habitats and species in the 13 National Parks of England and Wales. The results are in for National Parks: nature needs a lifeline.

National Parks remain as important to the nation today as they were when they were first conceived 75 years ago. While it is clear that nature in National Parks faces many challenges, just as it does across the UK, these landscapes contain many of the last fragments of priority habitat and the last refuges for many species on the brink of extinction.

Our Health Check report sets out the first full assessment of how well the National Parks of England and Wales are supporting nature’s recovery. It provides evidence of the current situation and identifies the changes needed to policy, legislation and practice in order to secure the step-change in progress that is so urgently needed.

The nature and climate crisis is the biggest threat we have ever faced: globally, nationally and locally. National Parks have the potential to make a significant contribution, especially as wildlife rich landscapes are an essential part of the purposes for which these areas were designated.

12 July 2023 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 Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, we met with incredible people who truly are at the heart of our Parks. From grassroots campaigning in Dartmoor to small-scale farming in local communities in Bannau Brycheiniog, this year’s National Park Protector Award nominees have shown a deep dedication to Protected Landscapes that deserve to be celebrated.

The winners of the National Park Nature Award, sponsored by WWF-UK and presented by Landscape Minister Trudy Harrison, are:

South West Peatland Partnership, for landscape scale nature recovery - The South West Peatland Partnership is a collaboration between local and regional government agencies, charities, landowners, commoners, contractors and farmers working to restore over 2,500 hectares of degraded peatland across West Penwith, Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor by 2025.

On winning Morag Angus from the South West Peatland Partnership said: “It’s really nice to get that recognition on behalf of the whole partnership and everyone who’s been working hours and hours for years and years behind the scenes, to get this Award and get the recognition for peatlands in National Parks.”

And, Nick Sanderson, for community nature recovery - Just beyond the sailing boats and canoes at Barton Turf Adventure Centre in The Broads National Park, a muddy path leads visitors to a hidden nature reserve. Nick Sanderson saw the potential for the wonderful site and began an ongoing partnership with Centre Manager Di Smith, The Broads Authority and many other stakeholders. The aim was to provide low-cost outdoor experiences and make a real difference for nature.

On his win, Nick Sanderson said: “It’s really nice to get recognition for the team, this is a team award, I’m just the guy who stands here and gets the award. It’s really about the team, about the volunteers, the staff and the young people who’ve been involved who are really making a difference to nature conservation and hopefully been inspired by it as well.”

The winner of the New Perspectives Award, sponsored by Natural England and presented by its Programme Director Caroline Cotterell, is:

Sameed Asghar - Sameed is the founder of Summit Special, who are known as the BAME Mountain Leaders. He is one of the first UK-qualified mountain leaders who works full time introducing not just BAME groups but also those with several barriers to accessing the outdoors. Since 2005, he has volunteered for various charities and mosques trying to promote and organise their challenge events. Consequently, he has encouraged people to fundraise for good causes and has also introduced thousands of people from BAME backgrounds to the great outdoors. This has also led to a recent rise in affinity groups of people from these groups.

Every weekend for the past year, Sameed has led diverse groups in the outdoors with approximately 30 to 50 participants on each trek.

On his win, Sameed Asghar said: “This award is a huge honour, it’s an amazing feeling and I’m absolutely buzzing and very happy.”

The winner of the Changemaker of the Year Award, sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, chosen in part by a public vote last month and presented by Alex Sobel, Labour Defra Minister is:

Matt Staniek / Save Windermere - Matt has been working tirelessly for two years to highlight the issue of water company pollution in Windermere and its impact on the water and wildlife in the lake.

Matt has built, from nothing, a movement that has steadily put a local issue onto the national stage. Around that he has expanded his campaign team, and on limited funds is furthering his reach by engaging with local communities and community events.

On winning Matt Staniek said: “Fundamentally we need change on the ground and that’s what this campaign is trying to do. By winning today it gives me the opportunity to then extend that message to a wider audience and today it was talking directly to ministers who can actually make a difference.”