England’s national parks are set to benefit from an additional £4.4M of funding, according to the latest announcement from Defra.
The £4.4M will be provided to the country’s 10 National Park Authorities to support services such as visitor centres and park rangers. Each authority will be awarded an equal share of the grant.
“Our National Parks are the jewel in our cherished landscapes. They support thriving communities, economies, wildlife and are important places for public health and wellbeing,” says environment secretary Thérèse Coffey.
“This additional £4.4 million of funding will support the important work that National Park Authorities do across our countryside, and allow local people and visitors to enjoy these much loved spaces.”
The funding will help protect assets, such as education centres and ranger services, and will provide more opportunities for people to enjoy National Parks, according to Defra. It could also be used to support the creation of new trails, residential programmes and mobility schemes. It will also support access and engagement programmes helping to conserve the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of these protected landscapes.
Protected landscapes
The Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, currently delivered across 10 National Parks and 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) since 2021, will also be extended until March 2025. This will enable National Parks and AONBs to continue delivering outcomes for nature, climate, people and place, says the department.
