All 15 National Park Authorities across England, Scotland, and Wales have signed an updated Joint Statement that commits them and national partners to managing the historic environment sustainably.
The agreement also aims to help more people connect with the stories, landscapes, and cultural heritage found within the parks.
Phil Mulligan, chief executive of the Peak District National Park and National Parks UK representative, said: “National Parks are places where nature and culture come together.
“This shared commitment shows how, working together, we can protect our past while helping people connect with it in meaningful ways today and into the future.”
The statement recognises the deep connection between nature and culture in these “living, working landscapes,” and the role historic environments play in creating a resilient future.
It brings together all 15 National Park Authorities and organisations including Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw, NatureScot, and the Forestry Commission.
Jonathan Cawley, chief executive of Eryri National Park Authority, said: “This updated Joint Statement strengthens our shared commitment to protecting Wales’ cultural heritage and safeguarding the historic environment, an important part of National Parks’ character, for future generations.”
The UK’s National Parks contain millennia of human history, from ancient settlements and industrial legacies to traditions, skills, and cultural landscapes.
The collaboration aims to conserve and enhance cultural heritage, increase public engagement and understanding, promote the role of heritage in climate action, and encourage the exchange of knowledge and best practice.
By working together at a national level, partners hope to improve access to data and expertise and support more coordinated efforts to conserve and promote the historic environment.
Christopher Catling, chief executive of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, said: “The Royal Commission believes that the National Parks of Wales, Scotland, and England play a vital role in the stewardship of our precious cultural and natural heritage.
“We are proud to be able to support the National Parks in their work, recognising that careful and responsible management of the historic environment delivers economic and environmental benefits as well as having a positive impact on people’s health and sense of wellbeing.”
The partnership seeks to highlight how the historic environment can support wellbeing, spark curiosity, and strengthen the relationships people have with the landscapes around them.
