Shaping the Future of National Parks

Nature recovery, social justice and the road ahead

Two smiling people standing in front of a display panel — Dr Rose O'Neill CNP & Beccy Speight RSPB (Campaign for National Parks)

National Parks remain one of the UK’s most powerful ideas for protecting nature and connecting people to place. As Campaign for National Parks began its 90th anniversary year at their Annual General Meeting and Council Meeting on 21 January 2026, supported by Countryside Jobs Service, the focus was on how these landscapes can evolve to meet modern expectations. With new primary legislation on the horizon to update National Park purposes and governance, the event explored what is needed to turn ambition into delivery for both nature and people.

The morning session focused on Delivering Nature Recovery in National Parks, with presentations from Robbie McDonald, Chief Insights Officer at the Office for Environmental Protection, and Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB.

Robbie began by sharing headline findings from the most recent report on Environmental Improvement Plan targets, published last week by the OEP. Progress to halt further decline in nature is partially on track, though there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve the crucial aim of levelling off the curve of biodiversity loss in the next 15 years. There is an urgent need to implement change for nature recovery, which is currently off track. If we are to meet globally binding 30x30 targets, action needs to be taken by this government and change must be effectively implemented quickly and at scale.

people sitting at tables looking at a person doing a presentation in front of a screen — Council Meeting January 2026 (Campaign for National Parks)

With this understanding of the picture nationally, Beccy addressed the question of the role National Parks can play in meeting national targets; National Parks should be the “beating heart”. They are home to many protected sites and habitats for priority species and uniquely engage the public in a love for and desire to protect nature.

Despite their designation and the great people doing amazing work for nature in our Parks, modern pressures such as rapid intensification of land management practices are limiting National Parks’ ability to realise their potential. As Robbie reminded us, the overall condition of protected sites in the UK is declining, and sites inside Protected Landscapes are often in worse condition than outside.

Beccy finished by sharing RSPB’s priorities for change. These include strengthened duties on public bodies and renewed statutory National Park purposes to include a requirement to actively pursue nature recovery; and a link between statutory purposes, management plans and national targets to better achieve and demonstrate National Parks’ key role in nature recovery.

people sitting on chairs in a row, discussing — Social Justice Panel (Campaign for National Parks)

The key takeaway from the morning was that there is a clear opportunity for Protected Landscapes to do more to recover nature. Within the National Park family and wider sector, we have a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to make change happen. Government have committed to policy that is waiting to be implemented effectively. What is needed now is to come together and collaborate towards our shared vision of a nature-rich future for National Parks.

The afternoon session turned to Delivering Social Justice in National Parks, chaired by Campaign for National Parks’ Head of Policy and Research, Ruth Bradshaw. Panellists included Campaign for National Parks ambassadors Jessica Davison and Eben Muse, Mohammed Dhalech of Rural Mosaic, and Amber Inman from Defra.

The discussion highlighted that social justice has always been central to the National Park idea. Protecting landscapes “for the nation” means fair access, meaningful participation and ensuring people feel safe and welcome without needing to navigate unspoken rules. It also means delivering the benefits of National Parks, such as nature recovery, clean water and wellbeing, without creating barriers for local communities or visitors.

Panellists acknowledged the reality of shrinking budgets and noted that learning, engagement and inclusion work is often the first to be cut. There was strong agreement that social justice cannot sit at the margins of National Park activity. Instead, it must be embedded across governance, decision making and day-to-day operations, supported by reforms to statutory purposes and structures.

The session closed with calls for more representative National Park Authority boards, stronger local and youth voices, and a commitment to collaboration and power-sharing with communities.

Across both sessions, a shared conclusion emerged: National Parks can and must do more for nature and people. The expertise exists across the sector. Policy commitments are in place. What is needed now is collaboration, leadership and the confidence to deliver change.

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