With a theme of Landscapes for the Future, our Annual Conference was always going to be significant. But when more than 220 people gathered at Winchester University in July, the passion of our speakers, the insight of our delegates and the talent of our workshop facilitators combined to make it one of our most memorable conferences to date.

Nearly 30 years ago, our conferences began as an opportunity for colleagues from National Landscapes to come together to discuss sector issues. Since then, they have evolved into a key fixture in the wider environmental calendar, welcoming people from a broad range of backgrounds who share a commitment to the future of protected landscapes.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines National Landscape, said: “The National Landscapes Association conference seems to get even better every year, and this year’s event in Winchester provided the customary does of inspiration and sense of shared purpose. It was so much more than a gathering of staff and local Partnership members, as it’s become an important fixture in the calendar for the protected landscapes sector and those who want to look after or influence these special places. It moves with the times and feels more inclusive every year.”

As the National Landscapes Association, our vision is of places where nature and people thrive side by side. Across the 46 National Landscapes (and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), dedicated teams are working tirelessly to turn that vision into reality. Choosing Landscapes for the Future as this year’s theme was an invitation to think ambitiously: to spark meaningful conversations, generate new ideas and build shared understanding across our network. Planning for the future requires the right people in the room and the willingness to talk openly about the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Our first day opened with the DISRUPT panel, where invited experts – each bringing distinct perspectives – explored this year’s theme. Agreement is not the aim; constructive challenge is. CPRE Chair, Mary-Ann Ochota, New Forest Ranger Hayden Bridgeman, farmer Derek Gow and artist Owen Griffiths delivered exactly that, offering provocations on language, inclusion, conservation and the role of art as a powerful connector for new audiences.

But our delegates didn’t come only to listen. With so much expertise gathered in one place, we wanted their insights to shape future planning. Workshops led by the team behind the new Landscape Observatory, Hawkwood College and others provided space for genuine collaboration. Ideas were exchanged, voices were heard, and practical next steps began to take shape.
 

As always, one day was dedicated to site visits, providing an opportunity to witness first-hand the inspiring projects taking place in and around our host landscape. While we share our work throughout the year, seeing projects up close and meeting the teams driving them forward is always a highlight.

Our final day began with an impactful session from author Sita Brahmachari, who has been supporting our Nature Calling project. She spoke movingly about the importance of belonging, connection and representation in our landscapes, before closing with a wonderful song that invited full audience participation. She later joined Alison Barnes (Chief Executive, New Forest National Park Authority), Amber Inman (Head of Protected Landscapes Strategy, Defra) and Ismail Kholwadia (founder of Focal Elements) for a thought-provoking discussion on their calls to action for protected landscapes.

Ismail Kholwadia said: “As a first-time attendee, I was impressed by the openness and two-way communication from the moment of booking, which made space for meaningful discussions and clarifications. The conference itself was outstanding, offering a rich variety of topics and sessions spread across multiple sites over three days, reflecting the scale and diversity of participants. What truly stood out was the intentionality of conversations around the theme ‘Fit for the Future’, embracing uncomfortable discussions rather than avoiding them.
 

The event fostered a genuine partnership perspective, bringing together national insights with local, place-based approaches, and highlighting how individual efforts contribute to a collective initiative. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking experience.”
 

Everyone who took part, from speakers and facilitators to all our delegates, gave generously of their time, ideas and enthusiasm. Without them, the conference would not have been the success it was.

Clear themes emerged across the event. We must work more closely together to deliver nature recovery at the scale and speed required. We must ensure the right voices are included in conversations about our landscapes’ future. We must communicate better and adapt our language, broadening our reach and actively strengthening inclusion. And above all, we must make protected landscapes places where everyone feels welcome, represented and safe and where people and nature can thrive. 
 

We are immensely proud to host an event that inspires genuine debate, builds connections and strengthens our collective ability to shape the future, together, for people and for nature.

And so, to 2026. If you haven’t already, save the date for July 7, 8 and 9 and we will see you at the University of East Anglia. Ticket sales open in the new year and we will start to announce the theme and programme soon after. We hope to see you there. Fore more information visit our National Landscapes Conference website.