Campaign for National Parks launches Park Protector Award 2015

Heritage lovers, environmental groups and conservationists could secure important funding and recognition for their work by entering this year’s Campaign for National Parks Park Protector Award, which is supported by the Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust.
The £2,000 Park Protector Award is open to groups or individuals who are delivering projects, campaigns or activities in one or more of the 13 National Parks in England and Wales. Entries should either conserve or contribute to the biodiversity of an area, restore the natural or built heritage or successfully protect a region.
We are looking for initiatives that demonstrate impact, excellence in management and delivery, innovation – such as using new technologies, engagement of volunteers, funding models – and development and dissemination of best practice.
Fiona Howie, Campaign for National Parks Chief Executive, said: “There is so much fantastic work taking place across our National Parks and this is a brilliant opportunity for organisations to promote and showcase their projects.
“Last year’s winning projects were wonderful examples of how innovation can help build understanding of the nature and culture in our Parks.  It is important that projects like these get the recognition they deserve through the Park Protector Award so that they can inspire others to follow.  I would really encourage people to enter.”
Peter Skipp, Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust chair, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the work of CNP by sponsoring this award. We were impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm shown by participants last year and we hope that this year’s programme will be very successful in continuing to raise awareness of the value of our National Parks.
“We are keen to encourage ways of improving access on foot to our countryside and helping to promote a love of the natural environment. We wish the Park Protector Award every success.”
Last year’s winners said the competition had been a real boost to their work. Plantlife’s Make the Small Things Count initiative, which took the top award, has been working to conserve some of the nation’s rarest lichens and mosses in the Atlantic woodlands across Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks.
Felicity Harris, Plantlife’s Head of Outreach, said: “Winning the 2014 Campaign for National Park’s Park Protector Awards has enabled us to run a highly successful and well received photographic competition and series of exhibitions motivating entrants not only to get out and explore Exmoor and Dartmoor, but allowing the many visitors to these areas to gain a better understanding of these areas and enhance their experience when out and about.”
The North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) was runner-up in last year’s competition with their Buildings at Risk app. This project piloted an online app loaded with historical data on listed buildings to allow volunteers to locate and collect fresh data on their condition and upload it on to a central database.
Beth Davies, NYMNPA Building Conservation Officer, said: “Winning a Park Protector Award gave all involved a huge boost and the app is proving invaluable in helping to assess any risk to the North York Moors’ 3,000 protected structures. The award money went towards upgrading the tablets, improving the app’s reliability and making it more user friendly following feedback from volunteers. Historic England (formerly English Heritage), which helped fund the initial project, has developed its own version of the app which can be used on smart phones and this is currently being trialled locally by students at York University.”
The deadline for entries is 17 July.

Notes to Editors:
For details of how to enter, www.cnp.org.uk/park-protector-awards
The Park Protector Award is supported by the Rambler’s Holidays Charitable Trust, with additional support from the Park Protector Club – a dedicated group of individuals and companies who help to support the protection of England and Wales’ most treasured landscapes
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust is funded and supported by Ramblers Worldwide Holidays (RWH). For more information about RWH please go to www.ramblersholidays.co.uk