Emma Marsh, Director, England, RSPB, says:
[registration_form]The Westminster Government has issued an underwhelming statement on the future of England’s National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). More warm words and not enough of the action needed. There is huge public demand for these places to be at the heart of the fight against the nature and climate crisis, and the AONBs and National Parks themselves want to play a leading role in recovering England’s wildlife, yet this shows neither the urgency nor the vision that is patently needed.
The Government wants new National Parks and AONBs to be designated to “contribute to the government’s commitment of protecting 30% of our land by 2030, and boosting biodiversity”, but wildlife isn’t even thriving in our existing protected landscapes. If any protected landscapes – existing or new – are to be able to deliver land ‘well-managed for nature’, they need to be resourced and set up to do so. The Government appears unwilling to step up to the plate.”
Very well said Emma Marsh, so true. Glad to see the RSPB speaking up when this Government goes so badly wrong as they so frequently do.