“We appear set to endure a prolonged period of economic restraint and news dominated by division and conflict. All the more important then, to hold high the clear truth that National Landscapes and the nature they nurture are life affirming and a powerful resource for wellbeing and potential mitigation of the current and future challenges our society and economy face.

 “While we have high expectations placed upon us, which we are more than willing to aspire to, resources constrain our ability to reach our potential. We have coped with a level funding settlement, but this is sadly a far cry from the immediate doubling of funding recommended in the Glover Review over five years ago. The National Landscapes Association continues to remind Government at every opportunity of the nature, wellbeing and economic benefits National Landscapes deliver year in, year out both locally and at scale. 

 “Our new outward facing name National Landscapes continues to gain traction. A major expression of this is the creation of a new National Landscapes and National Parks All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) . For decades there has been an APPG for National Parks and no Parliamentary focus for National Landscapes. The new collective recognises parity of significance for both designations. Active engagement with the new APPG should pave the way for ensuring the raising of the profile of National Landscapes at key levels of policy formation and deliberation. 

"Nature Calling, our first national arts commissioning programme funded by Arts Council England, presented an exciting new route of creativity for writers and artists of all disciplines. It has already delivered new ways of engaging with nature across many National Landscapes. So far it has facilitated six major art projects and six writing expressions of the joy of being in nature, together with 23 smaller projects encouraging everybody to connect with nature and landscape. 

“The 75th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was marked last December; with the Government declaring its support for the designations and an intent to strengthen their purposes and governance. We await any clarity of how and when. 

“The Association secured £250 000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to host the development of a Landscape Connections delivery programme for Gower, in partnership with the Gower Society and Gower National Landscape.

“Through our participation with the Protected Landscapes Partnership, we have played a leading role in developing evidence-based nature recovery ambitions and introduced accredited climate literacy training in support of climate adaptation plans. Also, we have awarded a £750 000 grant scheme for Big Chalk. Of long-term consequence for staff development across protected landscapes is our sponsoring of development and testing of leadership training modules for new and existing staff in partnership with the Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking. 

 “We have been delighted to be part of a national consortium of youth and outdoor organisations to deliver the £4.5 million Generation Green programme, through which participating National Landscapes have given 3300 young people the opportunity to spend time within them including 900 residencies and 600 farm visits. 

 “It is very disappointing and a blow to communities and dedicated campaigners that Natural England determined to halt the process of designation for the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge and extension of the Chilterns National Landscape. This is in response to funding pressure on Natural England. It is however, reassuring that at the same time Natural England publicly committed to continue the designation for the Yorkshire Wolds and extension of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. 

 “Once again, we enjoyed record attendance for our Annual Conference. This year we explored the challenging question "Are National Landscapes fit for the future?" We had excellent feedback and the joy of exploring the beautiful Landscapes of our hosts Chichester Harbour, Cranborne Chase, The Isle of Wight, North Wessex Downs and Surrey Hills. 

 “So let us celebrate another year of significant achievement for each and every National Landscape and the National Landscapes Association. 

 “It remains a great privilege to be the Chair; a role made possible only by the active participation of all of our Board Members and an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and very capable staff. The family of National Landscapes makes a difference for the good across fundamental aspects of what is truly important now and for the foreseeable future.”