Campaign for National Parks
| Campaign for National Parks | |
|---|---|
| UK Charity No | 295336 |
The Campaign for National Parks (CNP) - formerly the Council for National Parks - is a UK registered charity promoting the National Parks of England and Wales.
Its mission statement is: CNP campaigns to protect and promote National Parks for the benefit and quiet enjoyment of all.
Its aims are:
- to promote the protection and conservation of national parks for the benefit of the nation,
- to promote the quiet enjoyment of national parks and the appreciation of their natural beauty by the public in an informed and understanding manner;
- to advance public education in and understanding of national parks, through the provision of education material and by other means;
- to promote and undertake research into issues affecting the conservation and enjoyment of national parks and to make public the useful results of any such research.
CNP is an umbrella body of around 30 environment and amenity groups, indirectly representing over 3 million people with an interest in National Park matters.
History
In 1936 a group of individuals and voluntary organisations met for the first time to start a campaign for the establishment of National Parks in Britain. The Standing Committee on National Parks set out an ambitious agenda, that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the finest countryside, and that these landscapes should be protected permanently.
Following government legislation for National Parks in 1949, the role of the Standing Committee changed. It concentrated on strengthening the powers and funding of National Parks, and being vigilant in monitoring proposals which would undermine their natural beauty and enjoyment. In 1977 it became the Council for National Parks, and in June 2008 changed to its current name.
Leading members
The Campaign has a number of distinguished Vice-Presidents: Viscount Addison, Baroness Andrews, Lord Bridges, Sara Edwards, Baroness Hamwee, Lord Inglewood, Lord Judd, Angus Lunn, Alan Mattingly, Ian Mercer, Lord Norrie, Adrian Phillips, Fiona Reynolds, Dei Tomos, Lord Walpole, and Iolo Williams and three Honorary Life Vice Presidents: Brian Blessed, Chris Bonington and Libby Purves.