Campaign for National Parks

Privitisation by the back door? Since 2010 Dartmoor National Park Authority funding has been cut by 50% in real terms and they're not alone, National Park funding has been cut to the bone for decades, crippling our most beloved landscapes 📉 The situation is dire and we've already seen redundancies, land sell off and closing of visitor centres. Due to cuts, earlier this month the Lake District National Park announced plans to lease out it's Brockhole-on-Windermere visitor centre, the UK's first national park visitor centre which opened in 1969. National parks in England and Wales receive over 100 million visitors a year, generating an estimated £4 billion of spend. Not to mention their value to public health and wellbeing and the environment. The value of National Parks is clear but soon there will be nothing left to cut. https://lnkd.in/eECKuiUp

We need your voice 📢 On Monday 24 March the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will be back in parliament which is a vital time for MPs to share their constituents views. We urgently need you to write to your MP and tell them not to bulldoze National Park protections ✉️ https://lnkd.in/eTxk3Bvm The bill proposes to streamline planning approvals and speed up infrastructure and housing projects, which could undermine the unique safeguards that have protected our National Parks for decades. Once lost to inappropriate development, the beauty and biodiversity of these landscapes may never recover 🌳🏞️🦋🌼💧

Tell your MP not to bulldoze National Park protections ⚠️     Last week Labour introduced their Planning and Infrastructure Bill, a major piece of Westminster legislation aiming to accelerate housing and infrastructure delivery across England and Wales.     The bill proposes to streamline planning approvals, increase housebuilding and speed up large-scale infrastructure projects like power stations, energy pylons and even airports.     It is vital that measures in the bill do not undermine the unique safeguards that have protected our National Parks for decades.     Monday 24 March is a vital opportunity for MPs to share their constituents views on the bill.     Will you speak up for National Parks by sending a letter to your MP? https://lnkd.in/eTxk3Bvm

Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged to clean up Lake Windermere! Incredible news for the Lake and Save Windermere after years of campaigning against the ongoing pollution destroying the Lake's ecosystem. This pledge still needs legal underpinning, but this is where the duty we fought to change will be vital in holding United Utilities accountable. More... https://lnkd.in/eJBzt5FD

For better or worse, we have a clearer picture of the budgets for 2025-2026 for National Parks in England and Wales. Good news in Wales with a 5% increase in core grant funding, but England falls short with an expected 9% cut 👎 While there are rumours of grant schemes and investments, National Parks have been baring the brunt of cuts for decades which have brought the National Park Authorities to their knees. Despite huge economic, environmental and health benefits, without proper investment and resourcing the future of our Parks looks very uncertain. https://lnkd.in/g8s-DAJV

"Expanding Gatwick is not compatible with a low carbon future." Read our Chief Executives summary of the Gatwick expansion proposals and how the Protected Landscapes duty we fought so hard for must be applied 👇

Really positive from Defra today. It is extending Farming in Protected Landscapes and has announced an extra £30 million to increase payment rates in Higher Level Stewardship. Supporting more land managers and farmers through these schemes is absolutely essential to achieve nature-rich National Parks. Campaign for National Parks

Did you know there is no dedicated team or person in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for grasslands, despite them covering 40% of England?🤯    We're joining Plantlife International & partners in calling for the Government to establish a Grassland Taskforce to unlock their value🌱    Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRNYbrCp 

National Parks are already delivering growth - but they could be delivering so much more... A Labour government committed to economic growth and social justice should recognise the vital role that nature-rich National Parks can play in prosperity and community wellbeing. National Parks are regional powerhouses that drive local economies, create jobs, and enhance public health - by properly investing in and protecting these areas, Labour can align its environmental commitment to greener wilder National Parks with its ambitions on growth, fairness, and opportunity. But budget cuts could undermine Labour's push for growth. Read more on how Labour can deliver growth with National Parks https://lnkd.in/eBUZtXR3

Our Future Leaders Course brought together 19 young people over 3 days to connect, learn and be inspired by Dartmoor National Park 🏞️ “Being out in green spaces has meant a lot to me growing up and I want to learn how to get people involved in that and advocate for those space being available for everyone” - Linn Wiberg There's still time to be a part of our next Future Leaders Course in the Yorkshire Dales 👉 https://lnkd.in/eD8ZgYek Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund Animo Leadership Ocean City Media Friends of the Dales Dartmoor Preservation Association British Ecological Society