National Landscape Launch
Welcome to National Landscapes!
Tony Richardson, Chair of the Isles of Scilly National Landscape Partnership attended a launch event at the Royal Society in London, on 22 November, when all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales became National Landscapes.
The new name reflects their national importance: the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that National Landscapes do.
Uniting under one name and brand is the next step in fully realising the National Landscapes’ vision to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.
Tony Richardson at the London Launch. Credit: National Landscapes Association
National Landscapes Team. Credit: National Landscapes Association
National Landscapes teams have been at the forefront of delivering natural solutions to the main challenges facing the nation for many years. The new brand underscores their commitment as they focus on habitat restoration to ensure the protection of some of our most endangered species, and increase their work to help more people to enjoy time spent in beautiful places.
Because of their size and scope, National Landscapes are ideally positioned to address the environmental issues the UK is facing. There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK, covering 14% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland including moorland, farmland, coast, forests, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, a Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserves. With 44 million people living within 30 minutes of a National Landscape in England, for many they are the UK’s nearby countryside. The Isles of Scilly National Landscape is the nation’s smallest and most remote, but it gives the Scilly’s inhabitants an unparalleled quality of life, whilst being a treasured destination for thousands of visitors every year.
“Attending the National Landscapes launch event in London representing the Isles of Scilly, was one of the highlights of my year. Everyone wanted to know more, to tell me what a wonderful place Scilly is, or how lucky I am, even ‘where’s that then’ works as a discussion point! There was much love for the Isles of Scilly at the launch and to be part of the National Landscapes movement is something I am very proud of, not for myself, but on behalf of all members of the Isles of Scilly National Landscapes Partnership along with all those who live, work and visit Scilly.”