SDNPA welcomes Government pledge to match their ambitions with the resources needed to deliver
November 29, 2023
Trevor Beattie, Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “We welcome today’s pledge by the Government to match their ambitions for nature with new, adequate resources. An investment in National Parks and Protected Landscapes is a great first step to delivering on the Government’s plans for nature announced today.
“As the UK’s newest National Park, we know that a new National Park, adequately funded with additional funding is great news for nature and people. We stand ready to use our experience to mentor and provide support to the new National Park.
“Our ambitious ReNature Campaign is delivering nature everywhere, for everyone through securing an additional 13,000ha, or 33% of land managed for nature by 2030.*
“Since its launch in 2021, 5,573 ha of land has been secured or managed for nature – 42% of the 13,000ha target. The SDNPA has been working hard with our partners and communities since 2019 to deliver on the full aspirations of the Landscape Review.
“Working directly in partnership with landowners on the ground we have launched our ReNature Credits – demonstrating how green finance can both scale up and speed up nature recovery in a way that is good for nature, provides nature-based solutions to climate change and supports a thriving rural economy.
“We have been working hard together as a protected landscape family to help achieve net zero and, in the South Downs National Park, we have been investing in supporting communities to cut emissions, and trial new sustainable and nature-based solutions.”
Trevor added: “We welcome a commitment to continuing the fantastic work of the Generation Green project, where as part of the Access Unlimited Coalition, the National Park family helped provide more than 115,000 opportunities for young people to connect with nature, many for the very first time.
“Over the last two years alone the SDNPA has enabled more than 12,000 schoolchildren to be able to connect with nature and the great outdoors through our Outdoor Learning Grant, shared the wonder of our dark night skies with more than 600,000 people, and created new accessible routes and opportunities so that everyone to experience the National Park.
“We look forward to working with Defra on the details of what today’s announcement means to furthering the South Downs National Park’s innovative and ambitious work for nature, climate and people.”