It’s been a month since our Annual Conference, just enough time to reflect, celebrate and begin planning what comes next.

When we chose Landscapes for the Future as this year’s theme, we hoped it would create meaningful conversations, provoke new ideas and encourage learning across our network. We weren’t disappointed.

From our speakers to our delegates, everyone came equipped not only with knowledge, but with energy, hope and an openness to share. And those qualities are exactly what is needed to secure the future of our protected landscapes.

Now, more than ever, those who care about nature and people’s connection to it must work together to chart the best path forward, one that protects these extraordinary places while making sure everyone feels welcome in them.

Choosing keynote speakers is never an easy task. The sector is brimming with expertise, passion and vital voices that deserve to be heard on everything from nature restoration and inclusivity to innovation, funding and beyond.

Thankfully, we struck the right balance. A packed auditorium heard from a diverse mix of speakers, each bringing fresh perspectives and powerful messages.

Our Chair, Phillip Hygate, opened with a call to be “more courageous”, a timely reminder that our work must be both bold and visionary.

Next up was John Watkins, CEO of National Landscapes Association, who delivered a powerful call to action. He challenged the ongoing need to continually prove and justify the value of our National Landscapes, asking why their importance isn’t already universally recognised. John urged attendees to unite, not only to celebrate the vital work being done but also to build a compelling narrative about why protected landscapes matter. A movement, he said, that must be ready to both champion success and stand firmly against neglect and the deliberate harm our landscapes continue to face.

We were then honoured to hear the ministerial address from Mary Creagh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra, in which she affirmed everyone’s right to access the countryside. She also praised the work of the National Landscapes and highlighted how essential they to achieving the Government’s Environmental Act targets and the international 30x30 commitment.

Our DISRUPT panel, featuring Mary-Ann Ochota, broadcaster, anthropologist and President of CPRE; Hayden Bridgeman, Ranger with New Forest National Park Authority; Derek Gow, Ecologist and Reintroduction Specialist and Artist Owain Griffiths, who lit up the room with ideas for creating a better future for protected landscapes. While opinions differed on the how, there was full agreement on the need for urgent, passionate action.

Dynamic workshop hosts helped transform that energy into momentum, guiding purposeful conversations and collective planning. The day concluded with a powerful fringe session led by Ismail Kholwadia and Saskia Luqmani, who explored the themes of race and faith in protected landscapes. Participants left with a shared sense of hope and a clear focus on action.

Day Two took us outside, into the landscapes themselves. With six field trips to choose from, delegates witnessed first-hand the inspiring work already happening across our landscapes. These site visits brought real-world context to the themes explored on the stage and a renewed sense of awe at what teams are achieving every day.

Our final morning kept that energy alive. Question Time tackled some of the toughest issues we face. Central to the discussion was if we want people to care about protected landscapes, they first need to feel they belong in them.

Author Sita Brahmachari delivered a moving keynote on her work with Nature Calling, and the importance of place, story and belonging, especially for communities who’ve traditionally felt excluded from these spaces.

Afterwards, Sita was joined by Ismail Kholwadia of Focal Elements, who spoke with honesty and conviction about the urgent need for inclusivity; Amber Inman, Head of Protected Landscapes Strategy at Defra, who called for deeper, more authentic engagement with communities; and Alison Barnes, Chief Executive, New Forest National Park Authority, who urged us all to work together to ensure our landscapes are living networks that reflect the diversity of the people they serve.

To close the Conference, we returned to the heart of our work. In a fast-paced finale, colleagues from across the National Landscapes network delivered compelling three-minute spotlights on their projects. These ‘mini marvels’ were inspiring reminders of the ambition and commitment that’s happening across the sector.

Three days is never enough. But, in that short time, we listened, learned, challenged and supported one another. We shared progress, acknowledged barriers and recommitted ourselves to moving forward together.

Because standing still is not an option. If we pause, we risk missing the critical window we have to make the changes to our landscapes and our communities, that are urgently needed.

Our Annual Conference is always a highlight, but this year felt different. With its focus firmly on the future, it became a moment of shift. New voices. New ideas. And a renewed determination to act - not just for the landscapes we love, but for the people who will inherit them.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the Conference possible. To the delegates who showed up, ready for action; to our speakers and workshop leads who helped to steer these vital conversations; to our National Landscape hosts who showed us the great work being done on the ground; to our generous sponsors who believe in the work we are doing and our fantastic hosts at Winchester University.

As ever, we remain committed to progress and momentum and that means looking ahead. Next year’s National Landscapes Annual Conference will take place at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, from 7 - 9 July, 2026. It’s already in our calendar and we hope it’s in yours, too. See you there.