SEM’s CEO was invited to the Natural England’s 2024 Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to celebrate the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a historic and groundbreaking piece of legislation supporting the intrinsic links between people and the natural environment. The Act helped establish National Parks and improved public access to the open countryside.
The 75th Anniversary of the Act was to celebrate the vital partnerships that underpin our shared vision and collective role in delivering the Government’s ambitions for protecting and recovering our iconic landscapes and for bringing people closer to nature. It was also to reflect on the role of Nature as an essential enabler for a strong and sustainable economy and healthy society.
Marian Spain, CEO of Natural England said growing Nature for health, wealth and security is part of the economic and social vision of Natural England and sits at the very heart of Natural England’s work over the next five years and beyond, setting out how the vital partnerships Natural England has will help to realise shared ambitions.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England noted that how the groundbreaking 1949 Act provided us with the foundations for modern nature conservation and has left us with a very valuable legacy, however with nature still in crisis, outlining what we need to achieve in the coming 75 years if we are to meet the big twin challenges of the climate change and the biodiversity emerge.
The Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, Secretary of State at DEFRA spoke about his priority to speed up nature’s recovery, including the actions the Government is taking and the importance of working in partnerships at a national and local level”.”SEM’s CEO was invited to the Natural England’s 2024 Parliamentary reception at the House of Lords to celebrate the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a historic and groundbreaking piece of legislation which set the scene for and fundamentally supporting the intrinsic link between people and the natural environment.
