On Tuesday 21st October Barry was nominated as Chair of the APPG for National Parks and National Landscapes, a new All Party Parliamentary Group championing access to and protection of National Parks and National Landscapes, which cover 25% of England and Wales.
Over 25 MPs and Lords attended the launch, which was co-organised by the Campaign for National Parks, who will be the secretariat for the group, with support from the National Landscapes Association.
The APPG will look to help deliver the UK Government’s commitment to update the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 - a once-in-a-generation chance to equip protected landscapes with new legislation to deliver more for both nature and people.
National Parks and Landscapes are among our country’s greatest assets. They cover 10% of England and 20% of Wales (including 20% of England’s coastline), safeguard rare species and vital carbon stores, and underpin rural economies while supporting the health and wellbeing of millions.
But they face mounting pressures: only 6% of National Park land is effectively managed for nature, most rivers are polluted, woodland expansion has stalled, and access remains unequal; just 6% of visitors are under 25, and only 1% from ethnic minority backgrounds.
The mission of the APPG will be to drive Government action to protect and revive our National Parks and Landscapes.