UK National Parks across England, Scotland and Wales have joined forces with leading heritage and environmental bodies
AN UPDATED Joint Statement, signed by National Park Authorities and national partners, commits signatories to manage the historic environment sustainably and to help more people connect with the stories, landscapes and cultural heritage that shape National Parks.
From ancient settlements and industrial heritage to traditions, skills and cultural landscapes, the UK’s National Parks hold thousands of years of human history. This new collaboration will help these places continue to inspire people, support wellbeing and play a vital role in restoring nature and tackling climate change.
A shared vision for people, nature and heritage.
Together, partners will:
- Work collaboratively to conserve and enhance cultural heritage across National Parks.
- Increase opportunities for people to understand, experience and engage with the historic environment.
- Champion the role of heritage in tackling climate change and helping nature recover.
- Share expertise, research and best practice across organisations and borders.
The joint approach recognises that National Parks are living, working landscapes where nature and culture are deeply connected, and where protecting the past helps shape a more resilient future.
The statement brings together all 15 National Park Authorities with organisations including Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw, NatureScot and the Forestry Commission, reflecting a shared commitment across all three nations.
By working together at a national level, partners will strengthen advocacy, improve access to data and expertise, and support better coordinated action to conserve and celebrate the historic environment.
This work will help unlock the benefits of heritage for communities, supporting wellbeing, fostering curiosity and wonder, and strengthening connections between people and our unique National Park landscapes.
Phil Mulligan, CEO of 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.”
Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “Heritage and nature are inseparable in our National Parks, and this shared commitment reflects that.
“Our National Parks are home to some of the most extraordinary layers of human history anywhere in the world – landscapes shaped over thousands of years that tell the story of who we are and how we came to be here.
“By working together, we can make sure these places are not only protected for future generations, but that more people – wherever they come from – can discover, understand and feel connected to them.”
Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain said: “National Parks are some of England’s most treasured landscapes, and this shared commitment reflects the sort of collaboration Natural England place great importance on.
“By bringing together partners who share our passion for these special places, we can ensure they continue to thrive, for nature, for communities, and for generations who will inherit them.”
Christopher Catling , CEO of the 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.”
Katerina Brown, CEO at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “As Scotland’s leading body for the historic environment, we are proud to work with the National Park Authorities and other signatories to champion built heritage within our National Parks.
“By conserving and advocating for the historic environment across Scotland and the United Kingdom, we are connecting with our past while enriching our future, and this joint statement is a great step forward on that path.”
Jonathan Cawley, Chief Executive Eryri National Park Authority on behalf Wales’ three National Parks 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.”
Find out more about the Joint Statement on the National Parks UK website.
